Map of Washington, (1881)

Map of Washington, (1881)

Washington (State)--Maps<br>Washington Territory<br>Waite, Charles H.<br>Bower, Robert A.<br>Northern Pacific Railroad

1 map: col., 28 x 34 cm.<br>One of the first successful American publishing companies to venture beyond the east coast, Rand McNally and Co. began in Chicago, 1856, under William H. Rand. Rand soon after employed printer Andrew McNally, and by 1868 the two men had become partners. Early on, the duo published mostly timetables and tickets for the Railroad companies. Rand McNally took on map publishing in 1871, and has continued in this business ever since. This map of Washington territory, 1881, highlights travel routes of the Northern Pacific Railroad, both proposed and in service. It also shows the "gold regions" to be mined and historic wagon routes, such as the wagon road to Walla Walla and Oregon's Emigrant Road. The map was printed from a method of wax engraving and electrotyping introduced to the company by engraver Charles H. Waite. Mr. Waite also showed the company how to reproduce color mechanically, rather than by hand. Both of these skills Waite gained while working for other publishers, but the methods achieved prominence at Rand McNally. Note also the map's border. The now familiar index system was new at the time--invented in the 1870s by Rand McNally's map department director, Mr. Robert A. Bower. The system has become a standard locator on maps today.

Rand McNally And Company

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, WSU Libraries

Chicago : Rand McNally and Company, 1881

1881

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections

Contact Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, for copyright information 509 335-6691

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English

Maps

WSU 96

Washington (State)
Washington Territory