1864 Civil War Era Grant Oil Company Prospectus Oil Creek Pennsylvania Map

  

Overview Original Civil War-era 1864 prospectus for the Grant Oil Company of Philadelphia, issued during the first great Pennsylvania petroleum boom. Its folding map follows the oil district from Franklin and Oil City north toward Titusville, identifying wells, roads, railroads, proposed railroad routes, and tracts represented as belonging to the Grant Oil Company. The company's properties are highlighted in red, while a printed table identifies numerous neighboring wells and their reported production. More than a simple investment circular, the prospectus offers a detailed contemporary view of the landscape, infrastructure, and intense speculation surrounding the birth of the American petroleum industry.

An uncommon and visually compelling piece of early American oil, business, cartographic, Pennsylvania, and Civil War-era history. Document Details Title: Prospectus of the Grant Oil Company Publisher: King & Baird, Printers, No.

Mitchell, northeast corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia The map is headed Properties marked red belong to Grant Oil Co. And includes symbols for wells, roads, railroads, and proposed railroad routes. Locations shown include Franklin, Oil City, Rouseville, the Oil Creek corridor, and Titusville. Pamphlet dimensions: Approximately 8 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches Unfolded map dimensions: Approximately 11 x 14 inches Condition The original front wrapper is present and shows age toning, rubbing, soiling, creasing, edge wear, and areas of paper loss, particularly along the right edge and lower corners.

The rear wrapper is missing. The interior pages show expected toning, scattered spotting and marks, and occasional corner or edge staining, but remain legible.

The folding map is toned and creased along its original folds, with scattered small marks and minor edge wear. The map has separated cleanly into two pieces along an original fold. There is no loss of paper or printed image, and the two sections align completely.

The separation appears suitable for a straightforward conservation repair, but the map is offered in its present, unrepaired condition. Please review all photographs closely, as they form an important part of the condition description.