Featured in this lot is this George Cram 1891 Montana State Map, hand-coloured and published by People's Publishing. The reverse includes maps of Idaho and Washington states. Published after Idaho achieved statehood in 1890 - both Montana and Washington became states in 1889 - these engraved maps outline the respective counties in each state as delineated in 1891. They capture the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies immediately following statehood transitions. County borders, emerging rail and post routes, early towns and mining camps, and physical topography are shown via hachures. The 1891 maps for Montana, Washington, and Idaho from the People's Publishing Company were published as part of The People's Illustrative & Descriptive Family Atlas of the World. George Franklin Cram (1842–1928) was an American map publisher, the George F. Cram Co., which became a leading map firm in the United States. The best known atlas began as The Standard Atlas of the United States which eventually was renamed the Unrivaled Family Atlas which ran for dozens of editions over many decades. His was one of the first American firms to publish a world atlas. Cram's firm was instrumental in developing the cerography technique, in which metal printing plates were created by electroplating a wax engraved model. It made large and vastly less expensive print runs possible, which brought more affordable maps into people's homes. The maps are in very nice condition, age tanning observed consistent with age. Folded measurement is 11"W x 14.5"L, opened 14.5"W x 22"L, weight U6.