1897 Garcia y Cubas Map of Michoácan, Mexico
Michoacan-garciaycubas-1897$500.00
Title
Michoacan.
1897 (dated) 14.5 x 20 in (36.83 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 1000000
1897 (dated) 14.5 x 20 in (36.83 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 1000000
Description
A vibrant map of the Mexican state of Michoacán, published in 1897 for the Atlas Geográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos.
The state's capital and largest city, Morelia, and second largest city, Uruapan, are known for their historic colonial architecture, the former being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Unfortunately, Zitácuaro, in the far east of the state, has not been so well preserved; it was burned down on three occasions during the tumultuous 19th century.
A Closer Look
The state's subdivisions (districts and municipalities) are color shaded for easy distinction. Cities and towns, haciendas and ranchos, ports, roads, railways (existing and planned), waterways, and mines are labeled. Typical of the Porfiriato era (the presidency of Porfirio Díaz, 1884 - 1911), ambitious infrastructure plans are evident here, most obviously in the planned expansion of the rail network.Land of Mountains and Lakes
Michoacán is known for its mountains, valleys, and lakes, as well as its distinctive culture with a strong pre-Columbian influence. The region was the heartland of the Purépecha Confederation or Empire, which was a contemporary and frequent enemy of the Aztecs. This background resulted in an initially smooth relationship with the Spanish, which was spoiled by a particularly overzealous and unscrupulous conquistador named Nuño de Guzmán. After a period of disorder, Vasco de Quiroga, the first bishop appointed to Michoacán, helped to reestablish trust between the indigenous people and the Spanish. Though the Purépecha Confederation was abolished and, over time, a typical system of criollo domination and exploitation emerged, the Purépecha people retained a strong presence, especially around Lake Pátzcuaro.The state's capital and largest city, Morelia, and second largest city, Uruapan, are known for their historic colonial architecture, the former being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Unfortunately, Zitácuaro, in the far east of the state, has not been so well preserved; it was burned down on three occasions during the tumultuous 19th century.
Publication History and Census
This map was published in Mexico City in 1897 by Vega y Cie. It is based on the 1886 work of Antonio García Cubas and was updated with additional border work for the 1897 issue of the Atlas Geográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. The atlas is represented in several institutional collections but is extremely scarce on the market. The individual maps, likewise, are scarce to the market.Cartographer
Antonio Garcia y Cubas (July 24, 1832 - February 9, 1912) was a Mexican cartographer, writer, engineer, and geographer active in Mexico City in the second half of the 19th and the early 20th centuries. He is considered Mexico's first great geographer. Garcia y Cubas was born in Mexico City. He was orphaned at birth and was raised by is aunt. When he turned 18, he enrolled in the Dirección General de Industria, a government sponsored technical school. There he studied engineering and geography, which he further pursued at the Colegio de San Gregorio, Colegio de Ingenieros. He graduated with honors in geography and from 1856, became a member of the Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística. His geographical work earned him the Order of Guadalupe, a Mexican second empire honorific, directly from the Emperor Maximillian. He published several atlases, including his important Atlas Geográfico, Estadístico e Histórico de la República Mexicana, and multiple decorative chromolithograph Atlas Pintoresco e Históricos covering Mexico, Cuba, Spain, and elsewhere. Today his work is scarce and highly desirable. More by this mapmaker...
Source
García Cubas, Antonio, Atlas Geográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, (Mexico City: Vega) 1897.
Atlas Geográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos is a grand-format folio atlas of Mexico. It is based largely upon the Atlas Geográfico y Estadístico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos published in 1887 by Antonio García Cubas and Debray. The present atlas incorporates the same maps, but adds a dramatic silver and gold border, which obscures the 1886 García Cubas imprint. It was issued during Porfirio Díaz's third term as president of Mexico - a period marked by rapid expansion of infrastructure and industry, including railroads, mines, bridges, roads, and broad scale electrification and waterworks. The atlases title page in this 1897 edition, celebrates Diaz with a large portrait and dedication. We have identified at least two editions of this atlas, both bearing the 1897 date: one by Cadena y Cie, features a red title page, another by Vega y Cie, featuring a blue title page. All 1897 editions we have identified have the silver borders, but these seem to be overprinted to cover an earlier gold border, with unidentifiable text and dating behind. We have been unable to find any examples with only the gold border. The atlases in general are showpieces of Mexican lithography in the golden age of the Porfiriato.
Condition
Good. Even overall toning. Some centerfold discoloration.
References
Rumsey 5758.013 (1886 Edition).