Pocket Map Campaign and Historical Statistics of the United States [Title on Cover]

Promoting political action and private business simultaneously!

This fascinating pocket map of the United States provides an exceptionally detailed snapshot of the nation at the turn of the 20th century. The primary image, copywritten by the Fort Dearborn Publishing Company of Chicago, shows the continental U.S. in vibrant lithographed colors, with a large network of railroads connecting the country from coast to coast. Insets show the overseas components of the American Empire; including the Philippines, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Cuba (then under U.S. military occupation).

The imperial theme is reinforced by an intriguing diagram printed on the cover – ‘Uncle Sam’s Family Tree’ – copywritten by John F. Waite in 1900. It presents the growth of the U.S. in the form of a literal tree, from the roots of the 13 colonies to the top branches composed of territorial spoils from the Spanish-American War. Text at the bottom celebrates: “It started with thirteen original roots: has grown for 124 years and its branches offer shelter to the world’s oppressed.”

The map was distributed by The Vitrified Emory Wheel Company of Westfield, Massachusetts, as a guide to the Presidential Election of 1900. Electoral votes of each state are noted with bright red, the absence of which reflects the territorial status of Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Numerous tables on the verso provide information on previous elections, population statistics (including the number of immigrants by year), voting requirements, and import/export totals. Advertisements for ‘The World’s Best’ emory wheels are also present on the verso and covers.