Catalog Archive
Auction 152, Lot 93

"Political Map of North America Adapted to Woodbridge's Geography", Woodbridge, William Channing

Subject: North America, Texas

Period: 1843 (dated)

Publication: Woodbridge's Geography

Color: Hand Color

Size:
10.6 x 8.4 inches
26.9 x 21.3 cm
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The United States and Great Britain established in 1818 joint claim over the Oregon Territory - the region north of Spanish controlled Upper California up to the southern boundary of Russia's Alaska Territory at North latitude 54°40'. By the late 1830's this arrangement was beginning to fall apart. In the 1840's the expansionist Democrats, including their 1844 presidential candidate, James Polk, claimed the entire region for the United States. Their expansionist desires were expressed by Polk's famous campaign slogan, "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" The slogan also became a rally cry for Americans desiring to settle the territory. Following Polk's election, the dispute was resolved by the 1846 Treaty of Oregon, which struck a compromise that fixed the U.S./Canadian boundary at 49º North.

This interesting map of North America features the Republic of Texas. Within Texas, Austin, Galveston, and Matagorda are identified. Indian, Missouri, and Oregon territories are named along with several Indian tribes. In the Pacific Northwest, a note points out the Undefined Boundary between the United States and Canada. Russian America is shown with the Alaskan Peninsula referred to as Aliaska. A large portion of the western territories is labeled Independent Indians. Beneath the title is a key that indicates the size of towns and cities, capitals, missionary stations, and more.

References:

Condition: B+

Light soiling with a chip at bottom left and another at bottom right that has been replaced with old paper.

Estimate: $160 - $190

Sold for: $120

Closed on 2/18/2015

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