Hunt & Randel's Influential Map of the Republic Complete with Guide - Rare 1845 Edition

"Map of Texas, Compiled from Surveys on Record in the General Land Office of the Republic... [with] A New Guide to Texas...", Sherman & Smith

This is the rare 1845 edition of Richard Hunt and Jesse Randel's remarkable promotional map of the Republic of Texas, first published in 1839. Larger and more detailed than most from this period, it follows Stephen Austin's model from 1830 and extends to just west of the 101st meridian (or about 150 miles west of San Antonio). Five new counties are delineated from the 1839 edition (Bowie, Brazos, Lamar, Rusk and Travis), bringing the total number of counties to 36. A number of new settlements also appear on the map in the Galveston Bay area including Galveston, Austinia, Houston, and San Leon to name a few. The City of Austin, likely depicted for the first time on the 1839 edition of this map, is prominently shown along the Colorado River. The map locates a number of roads in the west (Presidio, Cumanche, Old Spanish Military Road), and there several interesting notations including "Caddo Villages Burned by Gen. Bush in Jany. 1839", an "Old Spanish Mission Now Deserted", and the Enchanted Rock west of Austin. An inset at bottom right shows the Mexican possessions in the Southwest up to the 42nd parallel with the Buenaventura and Timpanogos running across the Great Basin to the Pacific Ocean. The map is decorated by a five-pointed Star of Texas and the seal of the Texas General Land Office.

A prominent feature of this map is an attestation to the accuracy of the map by three prominent figures in the Republic: James Webb, John Woodward, and Francis Moore. The engraved signature of each is shown at bottom left giving the map their "approval as being a compilation from the best and most recent authorities." This notion is reinforced by the publisher Sherman & Smith in the prefatory remarks of the guide, venturing "to assert that this map is the only one which makes any pretensions to being based on actual surveys."

Accompanying the map is a 62-page guidebook that Streeter describes as the first general guide to Texas that "must have been a useful book for intending settlers." Contents include a history of colonies in the region, laws and legislation, climate, agriculture, and brief descriptions of counties and towns. On page 51, the description for Austin indicates it "contains 2 churches, about 300 houses, and 1000 inhabitants." A fascinating document to compliment the large map. Rebacked with original brown cloth boards and gilt title on the front cover.

Editions for this guide were issued in 1839, 1845 and 1846 with the later editions being much more scarce (Sabin also notes an 1844 edition though none could be located). Over the last 40 years, there were 5 examples at auction and 2 dealer listings, and all were offering the 1839 edition. The only examples of this 1845 edition offered for sale were in the 1960s including the Streeter Sale (1966), Parke-Bernet (1964), and an Eberstadt catalog (1963). This is an attractive and important piece of history for any Texas collector that is rarely seen on the market.

References: Howes #H-809; Sabin #33887; Streeter (Texas) #1348B; Streeter Sale #386; Taliaferro #278.

Condition: B

Issued folding and now flat with numerous small fold separations previously repaired with old tape, which has now been completely removed and professionally repaired with tissue on verso. There are a number of areas of small loss mostly at the fold junctions that have been expertly infilled, with the largest being a 0.75" x 1.0" section at top left. There are some minor stains and a few spots of foxing, but the map is generally bright and colorful. The accompanying text has light toning and scattered foxing. Original covers have been rebacked with light wear and some staining on the rear board.