Mitchell's seminal 1846 pocket map of Texas, Oregon Territory, Upper California, Missouri Territory, Iowa Territory, and Indian Territory is one of the most important and desirable maps in a collection of Western Americana. It was one of the first separately issued, commercial maps to concentrate of the West after the annexation of Texas in 1845 and the beginning of the Mexican-American War in 1846.

During the 1840s there was tremendous interest in understanding the landscape of the West given Texas' recent statehood. Mitchell capitalized on this interest by publishing one of the earliest maps to show the newly formed state. The map provides a snapshot of the most current geographical knowledge of the West. Mitchell’s sources included Arrowsmith’s 1841 map of Texas, the Lewis & Clark’s expedition, Nicollet’s map of the region between the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers, Fremont and Emory’s explorations, and Wilkes’ map of the Oregon Territory. The map was so esteemed that Lieutenant Emory wrote that it was one of only three maps he thought was worthwhile to carry along when he left Washington in June of 1846 to serve with the Army of the West (the others being Gregg's and Albert's).

Cartographically, the stovepipe configuration shows Texas's northern claim all the way to the 42nd parallel to the present-day Colorado/Wyoming border, following Emory's map, and includes the state's claim to the Upper Rio Grande in present-day New Mexico. These claims were eventually given up in the Compromise of 1850 in exchange for the federal assumption of Texas' public debt. The map displays a large Oregon Territory with the northern border well into British Colombia, reflecting United States interests. Large, early configurations of Missouri Territory, Indian Territory, and Iowa Territory just before statehood are also depicted. The gold region of California is identified (New Helvetia), along with the Oregon Route and the Caravan Route to Santa Fe. The map is filled with information on Indian tribes, rivers, topography and notations regarding the Great Basin. At bottom left is a distance table for places along the Emigrant Route.

Mitchell’s map was very popular when issued due to general interest in the new state of Texas as well as the Mexican-American war. It is one of the most important maps of the period of westward expansion into the American Frontier.

The lot includes the original 46-page booklet entitled Accompaniment to Mitchell's New Map of Texas, Oregon and California. The text describes each territory and state with notes on several early explorations. According to Wheat, “The Accompaniment is of particular interest, containing perhaps the clearest statement of Oregon and California facts that came out of the period just prior to settlement of the former's boundaries and inclusion of the latter in the United States." Brown leather front cover (3.1 x 5.2") with gilt title.

See also lot 751 for Wright Howes's U.S. Iana (1650-1950) - A Selected Bibliography...Relating to the Continental Portion of the United States that lists this publication.

References: Cohen (Mapping the West) pp. 134-35; Howes #M-685; Martin & Martin #36; TX GLO pp. 158-59; Wheat (TMW) #520; Wheat (Gold) #29.

Condition: B

Full contemporary color with light toning along the fold lines. Issued folding and now flattened and backed with tissue to reinforce and repair numerous small fold separations throughout with some minor losses at several fold junctions. Front cover has light wear and the rear cover is missing.