An attractive map that shows the southwestern United States through Mexico to the Yucatan with an inset of Central America. This map went through some fascinating changes during its lifetime. First published in 1829, the map showed Mexico extending to include Texas and the entire Southwest. For the 1838 edition, the area within Texas was completely re-engraved to show Texas as a Republic, with the addition of a dashed western boundary. Numerous additional changes were made within Texas, including updating the location and names of various rivers, updating and adding new towns, revising the road that extended through Texas, and marking San Felipe de Austin as the capital. Although San Felipe de Austin had been the first capital designated in the Republic of Texas, it had moved several times and was actually in Houston by 1836. For the 1851 edition, the border between the United States and Mexico was moved to the Gila River and the Rio Grande based on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo from the Mexican-American War. In addition, the entire American Southwest was re-engraved, reflecting cartography from Fremont and Smith’s explorations, including early roads extending all the way to the California coastline. However in the south-central United States, very few cartographic changes were made, with the exception of a few updates in Texas, which had been admitted to the Union in 1845: the town of Mina was renamed Austin; Austin was denoted as the capital; and the town of Houston was added. However, no changes were made to the dashed borders of Texas, nor to Arkansas, which had become a state in 1836. This edition, dated 1854, appears identical to the 1851 edition except for the date change in the title cartouche. This example shows Texas colored as a separate Republic, however this was done by a previous owner, not the original colorist. Engraved by Tardieu.

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Condition: B+

A nice impression with contemporary outline color, with the exception of the outline of Texas, which was added later. There is light toning and minor soiling.