03/13/2026
03/13/2026
The Occasional Kanzana Daily Deal!!!
The 1879 edition of O.W. Gray & Son’s “Gray’s Atlas of the United States” offered 16 pages (eight leaves) of supplemental regional maps for Kanas subscribers of the atlas, each with “The Central Portion of Topeka,” and otherwise focused only on the region of the state in which the subscriber resided. Some of the leaves are printed only on one side with a blank verso. The supplemental maps were preceded in the binding with a list of the subscribers in that particular state. To date I have seen at least three variants of this Kansas supplement, though I believe there may have been as many as five. Gray & Son do not appear to have offered this supplement in every state, though did so in at least two others (Virginia and Maryland) in the years 1876 and 1877. It is likely that there were others. I have been unable to find a listing, or even much discussion, regarding these maps. The reference library of The David Rumsey Collection contains the 16 pages with maps of Virginia, and Wonder Books currently is offering a copy of the atlas with a Maryland supplement. The KSHS archives contain three maps from one of the Kansas variants. Each of these maps shows great detail of the town and or town section represented. The Topeka variant includes six maps (labeled “sheets”) on four sides of three leaves. Upon close inspection we find the footprint of every (theoretically) physical structure in the region, with the stated name of about 30-40+% of the structures including private homes. These maps are a wealth of detailed information.
For your consideration for today’s Occasional Kanzana Daily Deal, I am offering the full suite of Topeka Maps including “Southern Part of Topeka” backed with “Eastern Part of Topeka” and “Western Part of Topeka” (two maps on one face of the sheet); “Central Portion of Topeka;” and “North Topeka” with a smaller “Outline Index of the Wards.” The latter maps being on one side each of the sheet and leaving the verso blank. So, in total, there are six maps on four sides of three sheets. Each sheet is double folio in size (approx. 24 x 36 inches in size). All of the images are clean and intact. There are a few small chips on edges. A few of the folds show small closed tears from edges. There is one fold tear on the sheet with printing on both sides that goes into a little longer tear, also closed and not affecting any of the map image. Unless sold, this very rare set of Topeka maps is available for $2000.00 including shipping, for 48 hours after posted. Payment can be arranged by C/C, PayPal, Check, or cash in person. State something here, or message me.
Also, soon to be available will be the supplemental maps of Salina; Clyde Center; Concordia; Beloit and Washington; Atchison; Wetmore and St. Mary’s backed with Muscotah and Netawaka; Minneapolis; Junction City and Manhattan; Sabetha and Seneca backed with Centralia and Frankfort; Blue Rapids and Waterville backed with Clyde. Atchison is on two sheets including one much larger folding, while all of the others take up space on one side of their respective atlas sheets. Details and photos upon request.