Four years ago, Lewis and Clark's adventure were in all the papers and because of that a decision was made to add yet another something into the marketplace. A trinket: No a top notch souvenir... but it had to be American made! A souvenir done of such greatness that all would ponder on its excellence and all would want one! A map would be the ticket! So it was decided and it would be done and the project proceeded forward. The idea was to add graphically the United States to the original Lewis and Clark map of 1804 5&6 and a sister map pertaining to "Indian Nations" would follow. A third map, the black map, would manifest itself and a massive amount of these maps would be sold to a large percentage of the twenty million people that would come to the Pacific Coast and participate in the great bicentennial of Lewis and Clark and all would live happily ever after! Yeah, right.
In real time each step was the great unknown, but with each step fortunately the piece evolved into something better which unfortunately swung the learning curve into places that had damaged most of the brain cells it took to get the piece back on track-- which depleted all funds before realizing that four years had passed. After the smoke cleared a creation and a new idea were born. Instead of a mass amount of product there would be a limited amount of product, a limited edition if you will. In addition, each edition would have a targeted market and in theory each of these pieces would sell to that targeted audience. An original picture or an original document must be used as a beginning template and permission will be granted by the owner before any original picture or document evolves into something new and different. Each limited edition will be matted and each mat will be outfitted with stamps and first day post marks. If a stamp is not available one shall be made. Postmarks must be used within a 30 day period of their issue date since that is the useable life span of a postmark. This happily insures that each piece is truly limited. Prior to framing, each piece, each mat, all stamps and all postmarks will be sealed with non-yellowing lacquers instead of glass. The reflection of glass would never be acceptable. After completion of each said limited edition it shall be marketed correctly and it will be hung in a prestigious place and graced with letters written by prestigious people whose written word will give each piece a better reason for being. Each limited edition will be numbered and each owner will receive all documentation to show the greatness of their purchase. Each finished piece will also have available for purchase or just may be included, pictures, shirts, patches and stickers that will pertain to each piece or event. A custom engineered box will protect such limited piece and it will have a deliverable radius of the entire United States and will be delivered without damage. HANG IN THERE ALMOST DONE!

Since a massive amount of time has been spent on the creation of said business and there have been name changes and additions to the original name of NW Columbia Map Company which shall always remain in title and it has also been loudly spoken to the Great Unknown in the Sky that we are in way too deep to back out now and must continue forward. It is also stated that since product has been well accepted by patrons nationally that there shall be at least two different limited editions per year that will be centered on and around history. It may be finally said and finally written that there shall always be... "History in Vogue"

Sincerely, William D. Brooks III NW Limited/NW Columbia Map Company
2004