Antique Maps of Mexico
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John Dower. "Mexico and Guatimala." From A New General Atlas of the World. London: Henry Teesdale & Co., 1842. 13 3/8 x 16 3/8. Engraving by J. Dower. Original outline color. Very good condition.

An unusual map showing Mexico and Texas as an independent republic. In 1821, when Mexico achieved independence from Spain, the northern regions of Texas, New Mexico and California were sparsely populated with Native Americans and a few scattered settlements of European descendants. In 1823, Mexico, in hopes of strengthening her position in the north, let Stephen F. Austin set up a colony of Americans in Texas. Tensions between the Mexican government and the American colonists began to escalate in the 1830s, leading to an outbreak of fighting in late 1835 after Santa Anna overthrew the Mexican constitution and set up a dictatorship. A convention of Texans met at San Felipe de Austin from October to November, issuing a Declaration of Causes and forming a provisional government. Fighting between the Mexicans and Texans began in October and lasted until the spring of 1836, with the result that Texas became an independent republic. Mexico never formally accepted Texas' independence, but an informal truce held until 1845, though there were some incidents of conflict. This map shows Texas as independent, including a note which states "The Province of TEXAS acknowledged an Independent State by Grt. Brtain, Novr. 1840." Detail of Texas, Mexico, and the rest of Central America is excellent, with mountains, rivers, lakes, towns, and some forts noted throughout. Also indicated, as noted under the title, are mines, an important economic factor in the region. Each province and country is indicated with contrasting pastel shades, with the British possessions noted in red. Historically of considerable note and quite attractive as well, this is a wonderful document of Texiana interest. $1,250

Henry S. Tanner. "Mexico & Guatemala." Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, [1834]-1844. 12 3/4 x 14 3/4. Engraving by J. Knight. Original color. Very good condition. Two insets are included: of the Valley of Mexico and Guatemala. Cf: Wheat: 519.

An excellent map of Mexico by the great American cartographer, Henry Schenck Tanner. In 1816, Henry, his brother Benjamin, John Vallance and Francis Kearny formed an engraving firm in Philadelphia. Having had experience at map engraving through his work with John Melish, Tanner conceived of the idea of compiling and publishing an American Atlas, which was begun in 1819 by Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co. Soon Tanner took over the project on his own, and thus began his career as a cartographic publisher. The American Atlas was a huge success, and this inspired Tanner to produce his Universal Atlas, of more manageable size. This atlas contained excellent maps of all parts of the world. This map is typical of his work. The map shows Mexico just before the Mexican-American War, during which the country lost its northern provinces to the United States. In that region, the detail in New Mexico, along the Rio Grande to north of Santa Fe, is quite accurate, but the information in Upper California is not so correct. In particular, Tanner shows the two non-existent rivers flowing from the Great Basin to the Pacific. The R. Timpanogos flows from the Great Salt Lake to San Francisco Bay, while the equally non-existent R. S. Bueanaventura flows from equally distant inland further south. Issued first in 1834, the map was updated and reissued by Tanner over the years, for instance in this map Tanner has added Houston and Austin to Texas. Texas is here shown as an independent republic, making this map particular desirable as well as historically fascinating. $850

Carl Radefeld. "Neueste Karte von Mexico Nach den besten Quellen entw. u. gezeiehn vom Hauptm. Radefeld. 1845" Hildburghhausen: J.Meyer, 1845. 11 1/2 x 14 1/4. Engraving. Original outline color. With mottling to paper and waterstains, especially in margins. Otherwise, good condition.

This map was drawn by Carl Radefled and was issued in J. Meyer's Grosser Zeitungs Atlas. Most of the maps from this atlas are based on Henry Tanner, but not this map, which shows more detail than Tanner-some correct and some not. Texas, shown as an independent republic, has a heart shape, with the present-day panhandle being depicted as part of the Mexican province of New Mexico. Detail in Mexico is dense and quite accurate. Overall, an interesting and attractive map. $575

"Mexico & Guatimala With Texas." Glasgow: J. Lothian, 1846. Engraving. Original outline color. External decorative border trimmed, but entire map present. Very good condition.

A rare Scottish map of the southern half of North America, showing Texas as an independent republic. There was an earlier version of this map without reference to Texas in the title and which showed it as part of Mexico, despite its independence declared in 1836. It always took a while for information to reach across the Atlantic and European publishers were sometimes reluctant to make quick revisions. In 1846, Lothian issued a new edition of the map showing an independent Texas very clearly, with its enlarged border extending to the Rio Grande. Interestingly, however, by the time the map was published, Texas had become an American state, so Lothian was out-of-date once again. Still, this is one of the scarcer maps showing Texas as an Republic. $750

Henry S. Tanner. "Mexico & Guatemala." Philadelphia: S. Augustus Mitchell, 1846. 12 3/4 x 14 3/4. Lithographic transfer from engraved plate. Original color. Some typical paper toning. Very good condition. Wheat: 519.

An excellent map of Mexico by the great American cartographer, Henry Schenck Tanner. The map shows Mexico at the beginning of the Mexican-American War, during which the country lost its northern provinces to the United States. In that region, the detail in New Mexico, along the Rio Grande to north of Santa Fe, is quite accurate, but the information in Upper California is not so correct. Texas is shown as part of the United States, having just been annexed the year before this map was issued. This map came from the final edition of Tanner's atlas before Mitchell, the publisher, made the atlas his own. $475

S. Augustus Mitchell. "Map of Mexico Including Yucatan & Upper California, exhibiting The Chief Cities And Towns, The Principal Travelling Routes &c." Second state, with copyright of 1846. Philadelphia: S.A. Mitchell, 1847. Folding map on thin banknote paper (missing covers). 17 1/4 x 25 1/8. Lithograph. Original hand color. With some separations and small holes at folds; all expertly repaired and filled. Overall, very good condition. With inset of "The Late Battlefield." Wheat: 548.

With the annexation of Texas into the United States, war soon erupted between the U.S. and Mexico. As soon as the conflict was under way, Philadelphia map publisher, S. Augustus Mitchell, saw that there would be a demand for maps detailing the events in this far-off corner of the continent, so he quickly came out with a folding map of Mexico, with Texas shown with a red outline in its relative position, its panhandle extending to the 42nd parallel. The map was very much a war map, with topographical information kept to a minimum, but roads, towns, political divisions and rivers are clearly shown. Mitchell updated this map as news arrived of events, adding little flags to indicate the site of battles. This map shows the battles of the Alamo, San Jacinto, Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterey. In the upper right Mitchell included a detailed inset map of "The Late Battlefield" at Monterey. Another feature of interest is the depiction of the "Great Spanish Trail to Santa Fe" (from San Francisco) and the "Trander's Route to Independence, Mo." from Santa Fe to the east. A fine example of this important war map. $8,500

John Arrowsmith. "Mexico." London: J. Arrowsmith, [1842]-ca. 1848. 18 3/4 x 23 1/4. Engraving. Original hand color. Minor blemishes in margins. Very good condition.

A finely crafted map of Mexico and the southwestern part of the U.S. by Aaron Arrowsmith's nephew, John. It first appeared in 1834 and was reissued several times, each with updated information. While this map shows a copyright date of 1842, the fact that California and Texas are both shown as part of the United States demonstrates that it was issued after the Mexican-American war ended. Detail is precisely depicted throughout, including many rivers, swamps, lakes, and other such features, along with a profusion of towns and roads. The Mexican states are highlighted with bright contrasting colors. An inset in the lower left shows the "Mexico, Shewing its connection with the Ports of Acapulco, Vera Curz, & Tampico." $950

Sidney Hall. "Mexico, California & Texas." Edinburgh: A. & C. Black, ca. 1849. 10 1/4 x 14 1/2. Engraving by S. Hall. Original color. Light spot in map. Very good condition. Inset in lower left of "Guatimala."

An interesting map of Mexico and the American southwest issued in Edinburgh about 1849. Details of topography and settlements are shown throughout, and roads and political divisions are also indicated. This map was issued after the Mexican-American war, so Texas, New Mexico, Utah, and California are all shown as part of the United States. In Utah, Salt Lake City is shown on the Great Salt Lake, with the note that it is a "Mormon Set." Throughout the region are indications of Indian tribes. Overall, this is an interesting and up-to-date mapping of this region at an important period in its history. $375