1865 "Johnson's New Map of the State of Texas" by Johnson and Ward

Presented is an original 1865 "Johnson's New Map of Texas.” This map was issued as pages 47 and 48 in the 1865 edition of “Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas.” The map is engraved, with attractive hand coloring and a decorative strapwork border. The state of Texas is outlined in pink and colored by county. Depicted but not colored are the neighboring states and territories of New Mexico, Indian territory, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mexico. The map is beautifully detailed, with railroads, roads, rivers and creeks, and important cities and towns all marked. Light hachure is used for mountain ranges. The map has three inset maps of "Plan of Sabine Lake," "Plan of the Northern Part of Texas," and "Plan of Galveston Bay" all at the left border. The map stops at the 34 parallel, and does not go north of it, hence the need for the inset map “Plan of the Northern Part of Texas.” The inset plan continues into the Staked Plain near the Canadian River and North Fork Canadian River. 

This 1865 Johnson and Ward publication of “Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas” was written by Richard Swainson Fisher, M.D. Fisher was also the author of "Colton's General Atlas of the World," "The Gazetteer of the United States," and a past editor of the Journal of American Geographical and Statistical Society. The publishing company of Johnson and Ward was a successor to Johnson and Browning, themselves a successor to the famous publishing company, J. H. Colton and Company. A combination of both new plates and older, updated ones, all of the maps in this atlas were compiled, drawn, and engraved under the supervision of J. H. Colton and A. J. Johnson. The new plates, copyrighted by A.J. Johnson, were made exclusively for Johnson's New Illustrated Family Atlas. Others are the same as used in "Colton's General Atlas." 

This early 1865 issued atlas offered a really unique and timely snapshot of the United States just after the Civil War. In addition to the maps, the atlas had several pages of American history, recent federal census data, and geographical and statistical notes.The highlight was its “Chronological History of the Civil War in America” with battle records and dates. It also contained updates on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and subsequent pursuit and death of John Wilkes Booth and included two Civil War-era maps, one of the “Vicinity of Richmond and Peninsular Campaign in Virginia” and the “New Military Map of the United States.” 

CONDITION: 

Fine condition overall. Hand Colored. Page 47 and 48 from “Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas.” Strapwork border.  Colored by county in Texas. Uncolored in neighboring states of New Mexico, Indian Territory, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mexico. Light toning but paper is healthy, considering age. Nice color. 

Map has been artfully and archivally framed with acid-free mats, UV conservation clear glass, and a custom-built wooden frame. Framed Dimensions: 22 1/2" H x 30 1/2" W x 3/4" D.