Catalog Archive
Auction 121, Lot 320

"Spanish North America", Thomson, John

Subject: Southwestern United States & Mexico

Period: 1814 (dated)

Publication: Thomson's New General Atlas

Color: Hand Color

Size:
24 x 20 inches
61 x 50.8 cm
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Large, attractive and significant map that depicts the Spanish possessions in North America. Especially noteworthy is the delineation of the great river systems, particularly the Platte flowing east and south of the Rocky Mountains. Spanish control of the Southwest is limited to part of Texas and a strip of land in present day New Mexico that includes Santa Fe and Albuquerque. In this edition, Pikes Peak is not named but is labeled as the "Highest Peak." According to Wheat, the map originated primarily from the epic Humboldt and Pike maps and to some extent the Pinkerton and Arrowsmith maps published a few years earlier. A city named Texas appears near present-day Austin, within the province of St. Louis de Potosi, which is also labeled New Santander. The very handsome map names many Indian tribes and villages, with terrific early information on topography and watershed.

References: Wheat (TMW) #320.

Condition: B

Original coloring. Centerfold separated about 6" into map, repaired with archival tape on verso. Light toning throughout map.

Estimate: $450 - $600

Sold for: $375

Closed on 9/26/2007

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