1855 ORIGINAL CUMBERLAND DAM OHIO RIVER SURVEY MAP - ILLINOIS, KENTUCKY For Sale

Original 1855 "Sketch of the Ohio River at Cumberland Dam"

An original 1855 U.S. Corps of Topographical Engineers engineering survey depicting the Ohio River at Cumberland Dam, illustrating navigation improvements and river engineering at the confluence of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers near present-day Smithland, Kentucky.

Prepared for Congress as part of the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers, this map documents one of the earliest federal efforts to improve navigation on the Ohio River. It illustrates Illinois, Kentucky, Dog Island, Cumberland Island, Smithland, the Cumberland River, navigation soundings, river channels, and proposed timber crib dam construction details.

Maps of this type were produced in relatively small numbers for government reports and are highly collectible among collectors of river history, western expansion, civil engineering, and Kentucky and Illinois history.

Details

Title: Sketch of the Ohio River at Cumberland Dam

Date: 1855

Prepared by: J. W. Abert, U.S. Topographical Engineers

Source: Long's Annual Report, September 1855

Publisher: U.S. Corps of Topographical Engineers

- Original government-issued engraving

- Not a reproduction

- Original fold lines as issued

Approximate Dimensions

Approximately 17½ x 20½ inches (44 x 52 cm) unfolded.

This is the standard large folding plate format issued in the Corps of Engineers reports of the mid-1850s.

Condition

- Very good antique condition.

- Original center folds

- Light age toning

- Scattered foxing

- Left binding margin rough where removed from original Congressional report

- Small loss/chip along left binding margin extending slightly into the blank border (does not affect the printed map)

- No significant tears into the printed image

- Strong impression with excellent contrast

- Displays exceptionally well and would frame beautifully.

Please review all photographs carefully as they form part of the description