Amer. Sep. Partie du Mexique

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IdentifierMaps_219aDate1827DescriptionThis is one of five sheets from Vandermaelen's atlas that depict Texas, and it is the only printed map from the colonial period devoted specifically to the Texas coast. Although the atlas was innovative, this particular map displays a confused geography. Streeter Bibliography, no. 1095 points out that Vandermaelen failed to consult either with the Carta Esferica, 1799, or Humboldt's map of 1809, despite the use of Humboldt's text. Instead, his configuration strongly resembles the Texas coast of Henry Tanner's Map of North America, 1822, and on John Melish's Map of the United States, 1816. Yet Vandermaelen so carelessly adapted the detail that he must have taken it indirectly from one or both of the American maps through some inferior intermediary. The shape of Galveston Bay, for example, is quite different on all three maps. Vandermaelen calls it "Baie Trinidad," and, curiously, he left the town of Galveston on an unnamed river whose position corresponds to the Brazos. But, to the east of the bay, he shows a "R. Magdale ou Bororos," which is possibly intended as the Brazos. Like both Tanner and Melish, Vandermaelen shows the Nueces as the southern boundary of Texas. The coastal region below the border is labeled "Nouveau Santander," with Texas and Nouveau Santander as subdivisions of "[San Luis] Potosi." There is no sign yet of Austin's colony or any other Anglo settlement. Language NoteFrenchSubjectCoasts--Mexico, Gulf of--MapsMexico--MapsTexas--MapsCopyright StatementNo Copyright – Non-Commercial Use OnlySize45.5x50.5 centimeters.CartographerPhillippe Marie Vandermaelen

CollectionRosenberg Library map collection

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Amer. Sep. Partie du Mexique