Joseph Hutchins Colton (1800-1893). Texas. (New York: J.H. Colton, 1855). First state. Published in Colton’s Atlas of the World, Illustrating Physical And Political Geography. By George W. Colton. Accompanied By Descriptions Geographical, Statistical, And Historical . . . Complete In One Volume, No. 35. Lithograph with original hand color. 12 3/4 x 15 ¾ in. to decorative border. Sheet: 15 1/4 x 17 ¾ in. Two inset maps: “Plan of Galveston Bay From the U.S. Coast Survey” and “Plan of Sabine Lake.” Minor marginal spots. Very good. $900.
$900.00
This is the only map of Texas produced by J.H. Colton on a single sheet showing the panhandle intact. It appeared in the 1855 two-volume Atlas of the World and again in the single volume edition in 1856, with revisions.
In his map of Texas, Colton incorporated important revisions made in maps by De Cordova, the rights to which Colton had purchased in 1855. Although Travis County was established in 1840, it was absent from the 1855 issue, but does appear on the 1856 issue.
Colton’s map of Texas effectively reveals the intensive settlement that had already occurred in the eastern and southern quarters in contrast with vast expanses of unsettled land to the west. The earliest railroad in Texas is shown, extending from Galveston via Houston to Richmond. Other proposed railroads are indicated, even through Comanche territory in the north. In the unsettled areas, the locations of springs, forts, and trading posts are among the vital information provided by this map.
The Colton Company was one of the most important American commercial map firms of the nineteenth century. Joseph Hutchins Colton founded the company around 1831. His son George Woolworth Colton later joined the company, and continued its successful operation after his father’s retirement. Colton’s Atlas of the World was the first publication to bear George’s name, probably signifying that he managed the project, and perhaps indicating that it was his idea to publish a world atlas. Joseph had for years specialized in the publication of pocket maps, wall maps, and traveler’s guides. In producing the atlas, the Colton’s discovered a publishing advantage by transferring steel-plate engravings to lithographic stones or zinc plates, thereby ensuring larger runs and the best quality for their publications.
The 1855 atlas debuted as a sumptuous publication and one of the most accurate of the period, with each state and country separately mapped and extensively described in a full page of text. This expensive large-format production was discontinued after two editions, and by 1857 a more affordable and popular version took its place.
The present map reveals the culminating expertise of the Colton Company—a fine example of the mapmaker’s art and an excellent document of the progress of development in Texas during this important period. Overall, this is an excellent example of Colton’s influential map and a worthwhile addition to any collection of Texana.
Ref.: Phillips, Atlases, no. 816; Ristow, pp. 313–326; Rumsey, no. 0149.041.
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