Catalog Archive
Auction 133, Lot 258

"Official Map of New Mexico. 1890. Prepared Under the Direction of the Bureau of Immigration"

Subject: New Mexico

Period: 1890 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
25.5 x 31.5 inches
64.8 x 80 cm
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Very rare map produced in New Mexico. It is filled with detail showing all towns and villages, with much watershed information and some topography. The legend indicates arroyos, canyons, surveyed townships, Rio and Grants confirmed and unconfirmed. Surrounding the title are listed the officers and Executive Committee members for the Bureau of Immigration. The president is in Las Vegas and other members are from either Santa Fe or Las Cruces. The Governor is listed as the Principle Executive Officer. The bureau was established in 1880 to manage the large number of immigrants who were often seeking the reportedly Tuberculosis-free climate of the territory. As one example, in 1882 New Mexico: The Tourists Shrine claimed "The lowest death rate from tubercular disease in America is in New Mexico. The census of 1860 and 1870 gives 25% [of all deaths] in New England . . . and 3% in New Mexico. The whole Territory has always been astonishingly free from epidemic disease…" A full-width panel at bottom informs the reader that larger land areas than offered by the U.S. may possibly be obtained directly from the Grant owners. We located only a few examples of this map in institutional collections.

References:

Condition: A

Near fine example on thin banknote-style paper. Flawless except for three short marginal splits on fold lines, one at left and two at right and a few printer's creases, also principally at right.

Estimate: $300 - $500

Sold for: $150

Closed on 9/1/2010

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