Beschreibung:

Title: J. De Cordova's Map of the State of Texas Compiled from the Records of the General Land Office of the State, by Robert Creuzbaur, Houston, 1851 Author: De Cordova, Jacob/ Robert Creuzbaur Place: [New York] Publisher: [J.H. Colton] Date: 1851 Description: Copper-engraved map, on four sheets joined together, hand-colored. With large inset map (23.6x29.5 cm.) of Texas and the surrounding territories. The map is "Engraved by J. M. Atwood, New York"; and "Entered According to Act of Congress on the 28th Day of July 1848 by J. De Cordova/In the Clerk's Office of the United States District Court for the District of Texas." Also appearing are engraved facsimile seals of the state and the general land office and various certifications of accuracy with engraved facsimile signatures. 83.5x77.4 cm. plus outer border, overall 88x80.5 cm. (34¾x31¾"). Third Edition. Folding pocket map of Texas of great rarity and exceptional importance, the basis for all future Texas cartography. The brainchild of Jacob de Cordova, a land developer who was active in Texas following its acquisition by the United States, the map was compiled from the latest surveys on a scale never before attempted. Assisting De Cordova was Robert Creuzbaur, an employee of the newly created General Land Office, and the map was one of the first major cartographic productions after annexation to be based upon the records of the General Land Office. The large scale of the map, the great detail, the importance of securing the shifting boundaries of the state, make it a true landmark of Texas cartography. A Native of Jamaica, De Cordova was one of the earliest Jewish settlers in Texas. During the War for Texas independence, he supplied goods from New Orleans, and settled in Galveston in 1837. He foresaw a land boom in Texas following the Mexican War, and began speculating in land and working to encourage immigration. As part of this campaign, he produced his first map of Texas in 1849, with a second edition in 1850, and this third edition in 1851. All are rare and of great moment, and this third edition is highly significant as the inset records the newly set and nearly modern-day Texas panhandle. Oddly, the inset also shows New Mexico stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean, encompassing Southern California. This copy of the map does not have the original folder, but is loose. References: Basic Texas Books, p. 99; Graff, 920; Phillips, Maps, pp. 844-45; Wheat, Transmississippi, 603. Lot Amendments Condition: Some very light scattered foxing, 6" repaired tear from left edge affecting the facsimile signatures but not the map itself, a few short crease tears, several short tears into the map from the right side, the longest about 4", but no significant paper loss, some creasing along the right side, still a very nice, brightly colored example of a rare and highly desirable map. Provenance: Discovererd in an attic in Northern California, in a box of old books. Item number: 150611