NORMAN, Benjamin Moore (1809-1860)

Norman's Plan of New Orleans & Environs

[New Orleans]: B. M. Norman, 1854 [lithographed by G. Hayward, New York]. Lithographed pocket map, printed on blue paper, period hand-colouring in outline. 86 numbered references in the lower margin. Matted and framed, publisher's blindstamped cloth-covers preserved. Provenance: Mrs. P. M. Ozanne. Sheet size: 14 7/8 x 19 inches.

Rare issue of the most famous mid-19th century plan of New Orleans.

This seminal 19th century plan of New Orleans was first issued by Norman in 1845. In the present 1854 issue, Norman has made significant updates to the plan and has removed the credit to original draughtman Henry Moellhausen. In the 1845 issue, the city is divided into three municipalities, dividing the American and Creole sections of the city. In 1852, this system was revised and the present 1854 issue of the plan shows the city now divided into four districts and nine wards, the former shown via pink lines and the latter via green. The numbered references in the lower margin identify the city's principal hotels, banks, churches, schools, theatres, hospitals, markets, cotton presses, and public buildings. These references show additional changes from the 1845 issue, with new churches and hotels now added. The City of La Fayatte no longer appears on the map having been replaced by the Fourth District. In that district, the Lafayette and Lake Pontchartrain Railroad is now shown, as is a protected levee, a drainage canal and a "Draining Machine" in the northwestern portion of the district. Along the western side of the Mississippi, a "new levee" appears. On the eastern side, two New Orleans & Opelousas Railroad depots are now depicted, as is the newly laid out Belle Ville, east of Algiers. This issue is rare, with only one extant copy cited by OCLC.

Cf. Charting Louisiana 180 (1845 issue); cf. Jumonville 1412 (1845 issue); cf. Phillips, A List of Maps of America, p. 496 (1845 issue).

Item #25635

Price: $6,000.00