Madison, State capital of Wisconsin, county seat of Dane County 1885. Compliments of S. L. Sheldon. Unique advertising map of Madison, Wisconsin, published by Norris, Wellge & Co. in 1885, reprint. Madison was selected as the capitol of the newly created Wisconsin Territory in November, 1836, when the city was still in the planning stages. Former federal judge James Duane Doty purchased the land earlier that year, and platted two cities on the more than one thousand acre parcel he had purchased. While Doty lobbied aggressively to have his new city selected as the capitol of the territory, it was the location of the proposed city that brought about the decision, being halfway between Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien, and central to northeastern Green Bay and the lead mining regions in the southwest. He named one of the platted cities Madison, after President James Madison who had only recently died, on June 28, 1836. He also gave the streets of Madison the names of the other 39 signers of the constitution.
The first capitol building was built in 1837. When Wisconsin became a state in 1848, Madison remained its capitol. The original capitol building was replaced in 1863. The University of Wisconsin-Madison was established in 1849. The railroad arrived in 1854, beginning with the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, later known as the Milwaukee Railroad.
"Union Corners", the intersection of Milwaukee, East Washington, Winnebago and North streets, was the site of a tavern that was the last stop before Union troops left Madison to join the fight during the Civil War.
A fascinating map that was presented as an advertisement for the S. L. Sheldon Company, "The Most Extensive Machinery Establishment in the Northwest". In addition to illustrations of the state capitol building and the offices and warehouse of S. L. Sheldon, illustrations of individual machines and products are also featured.
The featured illustrations include the following:
Haworth Check Rower. Buffalo Pitts Coal or Wood Burning Traction Engine. Wm. Anson Wood Open Gear Mower. Buffalo Pitts Vibrator. Meadow King Mower. Buckeye Force Feed Broadcast Seeder. The Gasaday Sulky Plow. Esterley's Twine Binding Harvester. ACME, Pulverizing Harrow. Disc Pulverizing Harrow. Gregg Reaper. J. I. Case, "Agitator".
The margins also include a lengthy promotional statement from S. L. Sheldon. The following text is included in the lower margin of the map:
"I take pleasure in presenting to you the above Lithograph of the Capital City of Wisconsin, and hope that you will see that it is properly preserved for future reference. For a full description of the Machines enumerated therein please send to me for Descriptive Circulars and Price List.
During all the years that I have been in the Machine Business, it has been my constant aim to obtain control of first class machines only, believing that by so doing, I would best serve the interests of my customers, as well as my own. I offer nothing that has not been thoroughly tested and found to fill the bill in every respect; and it is my firm belief that I now present to the buyers of Farm Implements the best as well as the most complete line of machinery ever represented by any one Agency. With such a large assortment of machines of various kinds, all persons, no matter how fastidious they may be, can certainly obtain such articles as will suit their individual tastes. This machinery is all purchased in large quantities for cash, and I am thus able to offer it to my customers at as low figures as the same grade of goods can be bought elsewhere, and thus help them to save something on freights as well to obtain them on shorter notice from this central point, thus enabling them to do business with smaller stocks of goods on hand at one time; I also keep a large stock of extras for all the machinery that I handle, which can be obtained at my warehouse at all times, thus saving to my customers the vexatious and often times costly delay occasioned by lack of extras when and where wanted. Agents and Farmers will appreciate this advantage. I have also at all of my branch agencies a reasonable stock of repairs such as are the most likely to wear out or get broken.
I always have a large force of skilled workmen, so that I am enabled at all times to afford purchasers and agents any necessary assistance in setting up and adjusting machines received from me. I have ample storage facilities as I have just completed two additional warehouses, one 58 x 90 feet of four stories height, and also one 30 x 130 feet two stories high, and I keep constantly on hand the largest stock of machinery in the West. And with the numerous railroads centering Madison, I am better situated for prompt shipment than any other concern in the State. Under these circumstances, agents dealing with me carry on their business successfully and do with much less stock than would otherwise be necessary. I also present to the Trade and Customers the most complete line of Buggies, Carriages, Wagons and Cutters ever offered, and at prices that defy competition. An inspection of my stock cannot fail to convince the most skeptical that the above are facts. I would respectfully ask dealers throughout the Northwest who desire to obtain a line of First Class Machinery, including, Spring Wagons, Buggies, etc., to correspond with me, and I am confident that I can supply their wants promptly and at bottom prices. I also invite correspondence from consumers who do not live near any of my Branch Agencies and who, therefore, cannot purchase my machinery at their places of doing business, and all such letters will receive prompt attention, giving description and prices of the articles desired, and also information respecting the cost of freighting the goods to their nearest railroad station. In short, I shall always be pleased to answer all letters, show my goods, and five all the information desired.
With my long experienced unequaled facilities and established reputation for honorable dealing in reliable goods, I hope to receive a continuence of your very liberal patronage and remain,
Yours Truly, - S. L. Sheldon" A partial list of machines available is also provided:
Esterly Twine Binding Harvester. Winona Twine Binding Harvester. St. Paul Twine Binding Harvester. Triumph Reaper. Royce Reaper. Gregg Reaper. Peerless Reaper. Meadow King Mower. Seymour Mower. Clipper Improved. Wm. A. Wood's Mower. Buckeye Force Feed Seeder and Drill. Tiger Seeder. Triumph Seeder. Corbin, Budlong, Randall & Rose Disk Harrows. Pounder Harrows. Kalamazoo Spring Tooth Harrow. Daley Harrow. Ellwood Sulky Cultivator. Knowlton Sulky Cultivator. Acme Sulky Cultivator. Gorham Sulky Cultivator. Thompson Sulky Cultivator. Walking Cultivators. Randall or Budlong Disk Sulky Cultivators. Slater Cultivators. Oconomowoc Cultivator. Tiger Self-Dump Hay Rake. Thomas Hay Rake. Albion Sulkey Rake. Hollingsworth Hay Rake. Coates Lock Lever Hay Rake. Foust Hay Loader. Mudgett Hay Tedder. Thompson Hay Tedder. Keystone Corn Planter. Rockford Planter. Champion Planter. Barnes Check Rower. Haworth Check Rower. Casady Sulky Plow. Buford Sulky Plow. Deere, Rockford, Leader & Thompson Sulky Plow. Norwegian Plows. Deere Plows. Skaudia Plows. Buford Plows. Buckeye Feed Mill. Osage, Big Giant or Mound City Feed Mill. Stover's Feed Mill. Forsman's Burr Stone Mill. Keystone Burr Stone Mill. I. X. L. Feed Mill. Buckeye Corn Sheller. Keystone Sheller. Belcher, Tiffin or Pearl Sheller. La Belle Wagon. Stoughton Wagon, Champion or Monroe Wagon. Buffalo Pitts Thresher. Minnesota Chief Thresher. J. I. Case Thresher. Aultman & Taylor Thresher. Nichols & Shepard Thresher. Birdsell Clover Huller, Jr. Birdsell Clover Huller. Buffalo Pitts Engine. C. & G. Cooper & Co. Engine. J. I. Case, Engine. Ames Engine. Watertown Engine. Nichols & Shepard Engine.
We use top-notch materials printed on demand using the Giclée printing method, so you get amazing detail and bright colors every time.
Archival Paper
Premium fine art paper that provides accurate color reproduction with high-contrast, high-resolution print output and maximum image permanence. A high-quality Giclée print ready for framing.
Museum quality paper for high-quality fine art.
Ultra smooth, neutral white matte finish.
Heavy-weight 230 gsm, 9.5 mil thickness.
Printed with pigment inks for longer print life and enhanced fade resistance.
Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
Canvas Gallery Wrap
A high quality canvas giclee print is hand stretched over a sturdy wood frame. Printed on demand and handcrafted in Seattle, WA. The canvas gallery wrap serves as a stunning piece of art ready to hang on your wall.
Premium 19 mil canvas material.
Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
High quality giclee fine art print with a lightfastness rating of over 100 years.
Durable canvas mounted to a 1.25" deep wood frame.
Ready to hang with included easy-to-use hanging kit.
Canvas on Wood Rails
A canvas giclee print that is mounted to wood hanging rails placed along the top and bottom of the map. Rail mounted maps are ready to hang via the attached hanging cord. Solid wood rails have a natural finish.
Premium 19 mil canvas material.
Wood rails are 1 1/8" wide, round front.
USA sourced solid maple wood.
High quality giclee fine art print with a lightfastness rating of over 100 years.
Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
Luster Photo Paper
A premium semi-gloss photo paper with a subtle texture that produces a vivid, richly detailed print. This material results in an exquisitely detailed giclee print of substantially higher quality than a standard poster.
Printed on 10 mil premium luster photo paper resulting in a brilliant, colorful image with a vivid life-like quality.
Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
Inks have a lightfastness rating of over 100 years, guaranteeing minimal noticeable fading over a very long period of time.
Printed using very high resolution source files.
Giclee printing is superior to traditional lithography in a number of ways: colors are brighter, lasts longer, and is a higher resolution.
Framed Map Print - Black Finish
Our gallery quality frames are made of solid wood and feature optical-grade acrylic. Each framed map is printed on premium archival matte fine art paper.
Printed on thick, luxurious acid-free fine art paper & dry-mounted to foam board.
Pigment inks ensure a vivid print with amazing colors and excellent fade resistance.
Solid wood frame with a black finish has a 1.25" face & 7/8" depth.
Kraft paper protective backing & hanging wire installed.
Framed Map Print - Natural Oak Finish
Our gallery quality frames are made of solid wood and feature optical-grade acrylic. Each framed map is printed on premium archival matte fine art paper.
Printed on thick, luxurious acid-free fine art paper & dry-mounted to foam board.
Pigment inks ensure a vivid print with amazing colors and excellent fade resistance.
Solid wood frame with a natural oak finish has a 1.25" face & 7/8" depth.
Kraft paper protective backing & hanging wire installed.
Gallery quality map prints made in the USA
We specialize in producing high-quality, detailed maps using advanced printing technologies and premium materials. Stringent quality control and ultra-high-resolution printing guarantee absolute clarity and precise detail at any size. Whether it's a smaller wall map print or a gigantic wallpaper map mural, no print will appear blurry or pixelated. You can expect every detail on the map to be sharp and clear.
Finely Crafted Cartographic Works of Art
Many of the maps we provide are created by our small team of cartographers under the name Academia Maps.
Museum Quality Materials
We source the best materials for our map prints and wallpaper maps. Premium archival inks guarantee rich vibrant colors with excellent fade resistance.
USA Print Production
We are a small business located in Seattle, WA that has been printing maps for over 15 years. Each map is printed on-demand using high-end fine art printers.
Shipping Costs
Free Ground Shipping within the contiguous United States and a flat rate of $20.00 to AK and HI.
Canada via UPS Standard is $40.00 USD.
Worldwide Shipping is available and shipping costs will be calculated at checkout.
Shipping Times
Most items are made to order and ship from our Seattle, WA facility. Typical production lead times are listed below. Shipping transit time is 2-5 business days depending on the delivery location. If you need your map by a certain deadline please contact us for expedited options.
Archival Paper, Laminated Maps, and Peel & Stick - 5-7 business days
Wood Rail Mounting - 3-4 weeks
Canvas Gallery Wraps & Framed Maps - 3-5 business days
Push Pin Maps - 3-5 business days
Spring Roller Maps - Varies, see product description
Wallpaper Map Murals - 7-10 business days
Returns
If you are unhappy with your order for any reason you can return it within 30 days of the delivery date. Customized items are non-returnable.
Yes, we can produce a majority of the map titles found on our website in a custom size. If you would like to request a custom size, take note of the map title and item#, then follow one of the links below to make your request. We will follow up with a link to checkout.
(for rolled or mounted prints)
(for larger peel & stick / wallpaper maps)
We accept purchase orders from schools and government entities. You can e-mail a copy of your PO to [email protected].
View more information and download our W-9.
No problem, send a screenshot or PDF of your shopping cart to [email protected] and will promptly follow up with a quotation.
Our products are printed on demand and have the following production lead times:
Archival Paper, Laminated Maps, and Peel & Stick - 5-7 business days
Wood Rail Mounting - 3-4 weeks
Canvas Gallery Wraps & Framed Maps - 3-5 business days
Spring Roller Maps - Varies, see product description
Shipping transit time is 2-5 business days and will vary depending on your location. Most products ship from Seattle, WA.
Many of the maps found on our website can be customized, including adding a personalized title/legend or company logo, modifying the color scheme, change text labels, adding points of interest, and placing GIS data on the map.
If the order is shipping outside of Washington state, sales tax may not apply. We collect sales taxes per state and local laws. Sales tax is calculated at checkout based on the delivery address.
We can ship to nearly any country. The shipping cost is determined for Canada and most European countries at checkout. If you find that shipping is unavailable to your country when checking out then please contact us with a list of the products you would like to order as well as size and material options.
We can produce a custom map for any location in the world. Whether you are looking for a detailed city street map or high resolution satellite imagery of a remote area, we have you covered.
Our wall maps and wallpaper map murals are handcrafted by our small team in Seattle, WA.
School Purchase Orders
We accept purchase orders from schools and other government institutions. Learn more here.
High Quality Materials
Maps are printed on premium fine art papers, canvas, and durable wallcovering materials using archival inks.
Stunning Cartography
Original and up-to-date maps designed by our cartographic team at Academia Maps include a range of high quality maps for geographic exploration, home decor, and classroom learning.
