"The Railroad System of Texas on September 1st, 1881. Compiled for the Galveston News by A.B. Langermann", Rand McNally & Co.

A rarely seen, separately issued broadsheet map that was published in the September 1, 1881 issue of the Galveston News, likely in a special edition. The map is devoid of topography, watershed and political boundaries, focusing solely on the railroad network. Fine detail of all routes, named and showing all stops. Also shows railways under construction including the International and Great Northern south of Raices to Laredo, the Galveston Harrisburg west from Uvaide, and a few more. All of the systems are interconnected except for the isolated Gulf Western Texas & Pacific, which runs between Indianola and Cuero. Indianola, a major Texas seaport during the mid-19th century, was destroyed by a succession of hurricanes and subsequently abandoned in the late 1800's. Each named rail station includes the distance from the rail's starting point.

In 2000, Dumont Maps & Books of the West had an example, also dated 1881, that contained text to sides and much text below. This map appears identical, but this example is a separately issued broadsheet, not cut from the 29" x 22.5" sheet described by Dumont. A later edition, published in 1883, was larger and contained tables at left, and is found in a few museums. An unusual, scarce, and likely first issue of this map.

References:

Condition: B

The map is generally very good, but has the lower right corner torn off and replaced in facsimile. The title is not affected except for the small bottom line where Chicago is missing from the Rand, McNally publishing notice.