Catalog Archive
Auction 124, Lot 294

"[Houston, Galveston]",

Subject: Texas, Houston

Period: 1910 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
17 x 23 inches
43.2 x 58.4 cm
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A scarce ephemeral map showing the cities and surrounding area of Houston and Galveston on a scale of 1 inch = 8000 varas or about 4 miles. Each land parcel is detailed including the owner's name. The entire Galveston Island is owned by Levi Jones and Edward Hall. The map stretches to include Bolivar, Texas City, Cedar, Spring, Bay City, and Matagorda, to name a few. Also provides good detail of roads and railroads. Issued by the Federal Land and Investment Company, 309 Scanlan Bldg., Houston.

This map is dimensioned in the unique Texas measurement unit of vara, carried forward from the Spanish and English measures. Originally, Colonial Spanish surveying was done with the cordel, or 50 varas long. Because of different methods employed by early settlers from the United States, the vara varied between 33-1/3 and 33.4 inches. This disparity remained until the Texas vara was legally set at 33-1/3 inches by the Texas legislature in 1919.

References:

Condition: A+

With folds as issued and some faint toning at upper right away from image.

Estimate: $160 - $200

Sold for: $350

Closed on 5/7/2008

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