County Map of the States of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana

Lovely map of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana published during the Reconstruction Era.

This beautiful map of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi was drawn and engraved by W.H. Gamble and published in Philadelphia by Samuel Augustus Mitchell in 1871. Mitchell was one of the most prominent American mapmakers of the 19th century, and initially got involved with cartography as a school teacher who was frustrated with the quality of available maps. He collaborated with skilled engravers and produced high-quality maps and atlases that contained the most up-to-date information available. Mitchell’s son (of the same name) would take over the business after his death in 1860 and continue the tremendous output.

His attention to detail is evident within the image, which provides an engaging snapshot of the large southeastern region in the years immediately following the American Civil War. County configurations are highlighted with attractive original color, applied by hand at the time of printing. Finely engraved toponyms label a fascinating variety of settlements, Native American tribes, important buildings (courthouses, post offices, trading posts, etc.), and geographic features.

Topography is shown in hachure and vast areas of lowlands along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Delta are identified pictorially. A growing transportation network of railroads (both proposed and completed) and wagon roads is depicted. The image is enclosed with a decorative ivy border – a hallmark of Mitchell’s atlases from the period.