Catalog Archive
Auction 113, Lot 293

"[Lot of 2] United States [and] Mexico, California and Texas", Tallis, John

Subject: United States & Mexico

Period: 1851 (circa)

Publication: Illustrated Atlas and Modern History of the World

Color: Hand Color

Size:
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Terrific pair of decorative maps by John Tallis. First is a great map of the eastern states and some very interestingly shaped western territories up to about the Rocky Mountains. Surrounded by a decorative border with portraits of Washington and Franklin and vignettes including a buffalo hunt, Penn's treaty with the Indians, Washington's Monument (which includes a statue at the top which was never actually installed), and two U.S. seals. 13.5" x 10.0"

The latter is the important second state of this fine steel engraved map issued during a time of great transition in the West. After gold was discovered in California the plate was re-engraved to include a vignette of gold panning and the gold regions of California were delineated on the map, although the political divisions still show the region completely within Mexican control and Texas is shown to include much of present-day New Mexico. Two other vignettes show Mexican peasantry and the ancient Mayan ruins. The decorative border incorporates native plants of the region. 13.0" x 9.7".

References:

Condition:

Both with original hand coloring in outline, borders and vignettes uncolored and original close margins, as issued. The former is very good (A), the latter with some areas of light toning or foxing (B).

Estimate: $600 - $700

Sold for: $450

Closed on 12/7/2005

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