Atlas Geografico, Estadistico e Historico de la Republica Mexicana

Mexico: Imprenta de Jose Mariano de Lara, 1858. First edition of the first atlas of Mexico written by a Mexican and printed in Mexico. Folio (21 3/4 x 14 3/4 inches; 553 x 370 mm.). 18, [2], [4], [2] pp. plus all thirthy-three double-page hand-colored ltihoragph maps and plates (one of the double-page spreads is comprised of two of the maps listed).

Contemporary quarter brown morocco over marbled boards, spine with gilt lettering and devices. Small and old paper label on upper front cover. Small stamp on upper blank margin of title page (not offensive). Sinaloa plate browned. Some minor foxing but over all a wonderful copy of the first great scientific atlas of all of Mexico.

This early lithographed atlas of Mexico includes the work of Mexican pioneer lithographers Iriarte, Decaen, and Salazar. The illustrations are signed "Muñ ozguren" and come from the lithographic shop of Iriarte & Cia., while the letterpress typography is by Lara. The atlas was created during the Golden Age of Mexican lithography (see Mathes, Mexico on Stone, pp. 17-32). The design and execution of the atlas are handsome, with the middle of each double-page spread being occupied by the map of a specific state or territory, surrounded by statistical and historical information about the region, including subjects of borderlands interest, such as Native American tribes and incursions. The large and fine general map of Mexico by Salazar is one of the finest maps of Mexico created in the nineteenth century, with a spirited Mexican eagle atop cactus at top center, and especially beautiful lithographed views on either side (Popocatepetl, Orizava, Cascada de Regla, Palenque, Mitla, Uxmal, etc.). The maps of the states that border with the United States are especially interesting for clearly delineating the changing boundaries over time. For instance, the map of Sonora shows the demarcation of the Treaty of Mesilla in 1853 (Gadsden Purchase). The map of Chihuahua shows the boundary line before and after the Gadsden Purchase. The Tamaulipas map shows the new boundary at the Rio Grande, as well as the older line of demarcation at the Nueces. The plates from Mapa Sigüenza and Códice Boturini are accompanied by the notes of José Fernando Ramírez of the Museo Nacional.

Palau 98721. Phillips, Atlases, 2683. Sabin 26554.

HBS 66945.

$10,000.