1860 Mitchell “Plan of Washington, D.C.” — Hand-Colored Lithograph, Framed

This is an original 1860 hand-colored lithograph map titled “Plan of the City of Washington, The Capitol of the United States of America,” created by S. Augustus Mitchell Jr. and published in his New General Atlas. The map presents a finely detailed plan of Washington, D.C., at the dawn of the Civil War, with clearly delineated wards, prominent public buildings, and infrastructure.

District boundaries are highlighted in colored wash, and key landmarks such as the Capitol, Smithsonian Institution, Washington Monument, Patent Office, and City Hall are clearly marked. Major streets and avenues, including Pennsylvania Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, are crisply labeled within a rectilinear city grid. The Potomac River, Eastern Branch (Anacostia), and surrounding regions such as Alexandria County are also illustrated.

As typical of Mitchell’s work from this period, the map features an elaborate engraved floral border and a lower margin bearing the publication credit:
“Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1860 by S. Augustus Mitchell Jr. in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the U.S. for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.”

Professionally framed and matted under glass, this is a striking visual artifact from America’s capital in the mid-19th century.

Condition

In good condition. The map itself is clean and vibrant, with no apparent foxing, tears, or discoloration. The hand-coloring remains vivid. The matting shows some light age toning, and the black and gilt wooden frame is intact with minor surface wear. The piece is housed under glass and ready to display.

Dimensions

• Overall (framed): 17 x 20 inches
• Visible map area: 11 1/2 x 14 inches