- Title: Texas
- Author: Thomas G. Bradford
- Date: c.1841
- Condition: See description
- Inches: 10 1/2 x 7 3/4 [Image]
- Centimeters: 26.67 x 19.68 [Image]
- Product ID: 308278
Scarce Edition of Early Republic of Texas Map
This later edition of Bradford's map of the Republic of Texas is from A Comprehensive Atlas Geographical, Historical & Commercial. While the map first appeared in an 1835 edition, this map has several unique features that distinguish it from earlier versions:
1. County divisions: The map now shows counties instead of land grants, reflecting the evolving administrative structure of Texas.
2. Austin as capital: The map identifies Austin as the capital city, updating the political landscape of the Republic.
3. Omission of "Mustang Wild Horse Desert": The map no longer includes this feature in south Texas, which was present in earlier versions
4. Continued labeling of wildlife: Despite removing the "Mustang Wild Horse Desert," the map still indicates "Droves of Wild Cattle & Horses" in the Llano Estacado region.
5. Boundary representation: The southwestern boundary is marked by the Nueces River, with San Patricio County shown extending from the Nueces River to below the Rio Grande. This representation asserts Texas's claim to territories north of the Rio Grande as its border with Mexico.
6. Coloring of the border: Unlike earlier versions where the border with Mexico was uncolored due to the ongoing dispute, this edition likely features coloring that reflects Texas's territorial claims
These changes demonstrate the map's evolution reflecting the political, administrative, and territorial developments of the Republic of Texas over time. The map provides a snapshot of Texas during a period of significant change, after its independence but before its annexation by the United States and the resolution of its border dispute with Mexico following the Mexican American War.
The map and accompanying text offer a fascinating glimpse into the early formation of the Republic, and hint at the shifting borders that would come to define the present-day state of Texas after much strife and turmoil:
Boundaries. Area. The boundaries of this infant commonwealth on the west and south are yet undecided. On the east it has the Gulf of Mexico, and the River Sabine, which divides it from the United States, and on the north the Red River, separating it from the same country. The old Spanish province of Texas, or Tejas, was bounded on the west by the River Nueces, from its mouth to its head, and by a line drawn thence to the sources of the Red River, covering an area of about 160,000 square miles. The republic of Texas does not, however, confine its claims to the limits of the Province, but extends them to the Rio del Norte on the west, and sometimes even across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. The space between the Del Norte, from its head to its mouth, and the territory of the United States, must exceed in area 300,000 square miles; that part of it which lies south of the Red River has an area of about 200,000 square miles. The name of the republic is derived from one of the native tribes.
Bradford first published the Comprehensive Atlas in 1835, notable for being the first American atlas to contain a separate map of the republic of Texas. Research indicates the copyright notice on the title-page of the source atlas is dated 1835, the text accompanying some of the maps gives statistical information up to 1841.
Background on Creator
Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (1802–1887) was a distinguished American mapmaker and publisher known for his significant contributions to 19th-century cartography. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bradford's interest in maps and geography led him to establish himself as a prominent figure in the mapmaking industry during the mid-1800s. His career flourished as he became renowned for producing detailed and accurate maps of various regions, particularly focusing on the United States and its expanding western territories.
Bradford's most notable work includes his publication An Illustrated Atlas, Geographical, Statistical, and Historical of the United States and Adjacent Countries, which he first published in 1838. This atlas featured beautifully engraved maps accompanied by descriptive texts, providing a comprehensive overview of the United States during that period. Over the years, Bradford continued to update and expand his atlas to reflect the changing geopolitical landscape of the country. His commitment to accuracy and meticulous craftsmanship contributed to the widespread acclaim of his maps and atlases.
Throughout his prolific career, Thomas G. Bradford collaborated with several prominent engravers and mapmakers, ensuring the high quality and visual appeal of his works. His maps played a crucial role in documenting the growth and development of the United States during the 19th century. Today, the maps and atlases created by Thomas G. Bradford are highly sought after by collectors and historians, offering valuable insights into the geography and history of the United States during a transformative period in its expansion and development.
Condition
Toned throughout with very light foxing. Excellent. Atlas page with greater toning and more pronounced foxing.
Principal Authorities
Martin & Martin, Maps of Texas and the Southwest, 1513-1900, 31 (Edition of 1835).
Taliaferro, Cartographic Sources in the Rosenberg Library, 248 (Edition of 1835).