Three Rare Maps from the First Cuban Atlas Published in Cuba

"[Lot of 3] Plano Topografico de los Barrios Extramuros de la Ciudad de la Habana... [and] Plano Topografico del Puerto y Bahia de la Habana... [and] Plano Topografico Historico Estadistico del Pueblo del Batabano...",

This lot features three maps from Rafael Rodriguez's very rare Atlas Cubano, the first atlas of Cuba to be printed in Cuba. It is cited by no less an authority than Emilio Cueto as one of the three key cartographic works printed in Havana in the 19th century. The atlas included 16 maps and was never completed, most likely due to lack of funds. A copy of the atlas has not been up for auction since 1988, and there are only a handful of copies held by institutions. Individual maps from the atlas are rarely seen on the market. Engraved by Carlos Roca; Cosnier is credited with lettering on both of the Havana maps. Lithographed at the Real Sociedad Patriotica in Havana.

A. Plano Topografico de los Barrios Extramuros de la Ciudad de la Habana por la Parte del Oeste, Incluso el Pueblo del Cerro... This remarkable plan view of Centro Habana includes excellent detail of the streets and topography. It spans from El Cerro to the bay and identifies the barrios of Jesus Maria, Guadelupe, and San Lazaro. The Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta, Castillo del Principe, and Castillo de Atares are also located. North is oriented to the right. The map is adorned with two coats of arms, one of them the arms of Havana with three castles and a key. A note in Spanish at right discusses the population boom in San Lazaro, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Above the neatline at right: Plancha 3a. Parte 3a. Condition: There are three archivally repaired edge tears and some light soiling and dampstaining that enters the map image at bottom. (B)

B. Plano Topografico del Puerto y Bahia de la Habana con los Pueblos de su Circunferencia y Fortalezas que lo Defienden... This plan of Havana Port is dense with detail, including depth soundings, bottom types, shipwrecks, docks, and much more. It identifies the Castillo del Morro, La Cabana, and Castillo de Atares. There is fine topographical detail along the shore, and Casablanca and Regla are laid out in a grid plan. North is oriented to the left. Two coats of arms decorate the upper corners. Above the neatline at right: Plancha 3a. Parte 2a. Condition: There is minor soiling and a short edge tear that just touches the neatline at bottom that has been closed on verso with archival tape. (A)

C. Plano Topografico Historico Estadistico del Pueblo del Batabano Situado en la Costa del Sur de la isla de Cuba... This sheet includes two handsome plans of Batabano. At left is a plan of Surgidero de Batabano along the coast, with detail of the topography, fortifications, houses, dock, canal, and road. The plan at right zooms in for greater detail of the streets of this small village. Extensive notes in Spanish provide information about the village's history, population, geography, notable people, and more. According to the text, the population at the time of publication was 600 whites and 450 Blacks, both freed and enslaved. A coat of arms adorns the top center of the map. Above the neatline at right: Plan. 1a. Reference: Cueto #242. Condition: There are two archivally repaired edge tears that enter the map image, the longest extending 4" past the neatline at left. Additional chips and tears, light soiling, and dampstaining are confined to the blank margins. (B+)

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All three maps are crisp impressions with the embossed stamp of a previous owner, Bulmaro E. Cruz, municipal president of La Barca in Jalisco from 1917-19. See description above for condition descriptions of the individual maps.