First edition of The Northern Pacific Railroad: Its Route, Resources, Progress and Business. The New Northwest and Its Great Thoroughfare, issued by Jay Cooke & Co. in 1871 as part of the enormous campaign to finance, promote, and populate the developing Northern Pacific Railroad.
Published while the transcontinental line was still under construction, the pamphlet presents the Northern Pacific as both a transportation enterprise and an engine for western settlement and economic development. It describes the railroad’s projected route, agricultural and mineral resources, land grant, anticipated traffic, connections to the Great Lakes and Pacific Coast, and opportunities throughout the emerging Northwest.
This copy preserves an unusually rich group of contemporary promotional material. A separately printed Northern Pacific route map on contrasting paper is inserted before the title page. Following the 46-page main text are a letter from Montana Territorial Governor Benjamin F. Potts describing the climate and resources of Montana and an advertisement for the Northern Pacific’s 7-30 First Mortgage Land Grant Gold Bonds.
Also tipped in are two contemporary promotional reprints of articles by Vice President Schuyler Colfax originally published in the New York Independent: “The Northern Pacific Railroad” and “Northern Pacific Railroad (Second Article): Will It Pay?” The two folding pieces measure approximately 6⅜ × 11 inches when opened and present Colfax’s public case for the railroad and its economic prospects. Both have separation along the lower fold.
Colfax’s advocacy formed part of the much larger publicity campaign surrounding Jay Cooke’s financing of the Northern Pacific. Cooke & Co. distributed maps, pamphlets, advertisements, articles, speeches, and endorsements on a massive scale while marketing the railroad and its bonds to American investors.
The inside front wrapper bears the familiar facsimile-script presentation inscription “Compliments of Jay Cooke.”
Taken together, the prospectus, inserted route map, Montana promotional material, bond advertisement, Cooke presentation facsimile, and two tipped-in Colfax pieces form an unusually extensive surviving example of the promotional apparatus surrounding one of the most ambitious railroad and investment campaigns of the Reconstruction era.
Details
Title: The Northern Pacific Railroad: Its Route, Resources, Progress and Business. The New Northwest and Its Great Thoroughfare
Organization: Northern Pacific Railroad Company
Publisher: Jay Cooke & Co.
Place: Philadelphia
Date: 1871
Edition: First edition
Pagination: 46 numbered pages plus two terminal leaves
Additional Material: Letter from Montana Governor Benjamin F. Potts; Northern Pacific 7-30 First Mortgage Land Grant Gold Bond advertisement
Map: Northern Pacific route map printed on contrasting paper and inserted before title page
Extra Material: Two tipped-in folding promotional reprints of Schuyler Colfax articles from the New York Independent
Presentation: “Compliments of Jay Cooke” facsimile-script presentation inscription inside front wrapper
Format: Original printed wrappers, sewn, with inserted and tipped-in promotional material
Language: English
Dimensions: Approximately 6 × 8¾ inches; Colfax pieces approximately 6⅜ × 11 inches unfolded
Condition
Original printed wrappers with edge wear, chipping, toning and handling wear; manuscript numeral to front wrapper. Interior with scattered toning, spotting and handling wear. Complete through page 46 with the Potts letter and 7-30 Gold Loan advertisement following. Separately printed route map present before the title page. Both tipped-in Schuyler Colfax pieces are present and separated along their lower folds. Please see photographs for condition. Additional photos available on request.
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