Curtis' Bay; Its Superior Advantages and Admirable Location as the Only Existing and Available Deep Water Harbor Contiguous to the City of Baltimore, in Connection with Its Rapidly Increasing Local Manufactures, the Development of Its Coal Traffic, and the Accommodation of Its Western and Souther Railroad Connections
Baltimore: The Patapsco Land Company, (1874). First edition. Large fold-out map. Hardcover. Octavo. 100 pages. Bound in brick red cloth over boards with upper board titled in gilt. A few light extremity rubs. Slight age-toning inside. Map has a few short clean separations at fold intersections. Fine condition overall.
This is a detailed prospectus seeking investment in the newly reorganized Patapsco Land Company, which intended to turn its holdings at Curtis Bay into a major seaport and railhead. The background information included therefore gives much of interest relating to the evolution of shipping and railroads at Baltimore.
The large map in a rear pocket shows the planned layout of the city of Pennington, named for the PLC's controlling family. A copy of this prospectus was even delivered to the U.S. House of Representatives in hopes of getting buy-ins from major players in the shipping and railroad industries, which would be essential for the plan to succeed. Alas, despite the seemingly solid plan and convincing sales pitch, the PLC could not get sufficient capital together to pull it off. And thus there is no town of Pennington, Maryland today.
Item #1240
Price: $300