Lot 108

RARE Antique 1842 Map Showing the Disputed Boundary of Missouri and Iowa Drawn by George A. Leakin

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 108
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4
RARE Antique 1842 Map Showing the Disputed Boundary of Missouri and Iowa Drawn by George A. Leakin
RARE Antique 1842 Map Showing the Disputed Boundary of Missouri and Iowa Drawn by George A. Leakin
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4

RARE Antique 1842 Map Showing the Disputed Boundary of Missouri and Iowa Drawn by George A. Leakin

Current Bid: $50

(1 Bid)
by One Source Auctions
July 27, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Live Auction
177 S. Main St.
Canandaigua, NY, US 14424

The "Map showing the disputed boundary of Missouri and Iowa" was drawn by cartographer George A. Leakin and published as a lithograph by the United States General Land Office. It was officially attached to a congressional report submitted to the House of Representatives on December 31, 1842, to document the escalating border tensions that nearly led to armed conflict. Four Conflicting Borders: The map explicitly tracks four distinct versions of the state boundary running between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Sullivan's Line (The Old Indian Boundary): Originally surveyed by John C. Sullivan in 1816, this was the line Iowa claimed as the valid border. Brown's Line: Set by Missouri surveyor Joseph C. Brown in 1837, this line sat roughly 9.5 to 13 miles north of Sullivan's line, encompassing about 2,600 square miles of disputed territory that Missouri claimed. The "Half-Breeds" Tract: The map details a smaller localized boundary dispute concerning a tract of land wedged directly between the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers. The Platte Purchase: It details the newly annexed western "Platt District" added to Missouri's northwest corner in 1836. This map serves as the primary visual record of the Honey War of 1839. The bloodless border dispute reached a boiling point when a Missouri sheriff crossed into the disputed zone to collect taxes and was promptly arrested by an Iowa sheriff. Tensions peaked when an unknown Missourian cut down three local bee trees for honey. Both state governors mobilized armed civilian militias to line the border before commanders agreed a war over honey trees was foolish. The U.S. Supreme Court finally resolved the issue in 1849, upholding the original Sullivan Line as the permanent border. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request

  • Dimensions: 24" x 31"
  • Condition: Very Good Condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship Worldwide, at Buyer's Expense. PLEASE CONTACT PRIOR TO BIDDING IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SHIPPING QUOTE!! Allow a 24 hour period for quotes. Shipping quotes are figured before invoices are sent out. Multiple shipping companies (USPS, UPS, Fedex, Greyhound, etc.) will be looked into for the best rate. Large paintings and other large items may be packed by a third party.

One Source Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 21% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $5
$100 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 + $500