1845 Brué Map of Mexico and the Republic of Texas

One of the only foreign language maps to identify and name the republic of Texas, not only on the map proper, but also in the title.

An unusual find, this 1845 French map by Adrien Hubert Brué is one of the only foreign language maps to identify and name the republic of Texas, not only on the map proper, but also in the title. The map is centered the Republic of Texas, which is outlined and labeled prominently. It extends north to the 42nd parallel, the modern-day border between California and Oregon, south to Guatemala, East as far as the Mississippi river, and west to the Pacific seaboard. The essential cartographer here dates to the 1825 first edition, which, in comparison is exclusively a map of Mexico, with Texas integrated into the state of San Luis Potosi. It was modified in 1840, showing French support for the then fledgling nation of Texas. Although the map was updated to reflect the new nation, some of the old naming remains and the word 'Potosi' is still apparent in southern Texas. Early Texas details include the identification of Austin, Houston, Bastrop ou Mina, Ft. Matagorda, Guardia y Barca, Ft. del Altar, Washington, and St. Patrick, among others.

The cartography is distinctly pre-Fremont, but post Humboldt, Pike, and Long. The map identifies 'Lac Timpanogos ou Youta' in an early synthesis of Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake. 'Depot' is identified on the west coast of the lake roughly in the vicinity of modern day Great Salt Lake City. Further west the fictional Rio Buenaventura connects to the Jesus Maria via Lake Teguayo. Some of the cartography here is confusing, but Lac Teguayo probably represents a double mapping of Great Salt Lake. The fact that the lake is ghosted in, as are some of the rivers connecting to it, suggests that Brue was not fully confident of its existence. The Sacramento River, on the other hand is strongly mapped. South of San Francisco bay there are several lakes, including a speculative late and, just a little further south, an oblong Lake Tule.

All in all, this is a truly iconic map of the American west and is rare on the market in this configuration. Most significantly, is it one of the few maps to include the 'Republique du Texas' in the title, a fact made even more notable as this is a foreign production. This map was issued for the 1845 edition of Brue's Atlas Universel. It is of note that Brue died in 1832 and so this map, as well as this edition of the atlas, were issued by his widow. A must-have piece for any serious Republic of Texas collection.

Cartographers

Adrien-Hubert Brué (March 20, 1786 – July 16, 1832) was a prominent French cartographer and geographer of the early 19th century. Born in Paris, Brué went to sea as a cabin boy at the age of twelve and, at fourteen, joined the Naturaliste, one of the two principal vessels of the Baudin Expedition (1800 - 1804) to the South Pacific. After returning to France, he devoted himself to cartography, earning distinction for the exceptional clarity, precision, and elegance of his maps. Brué drew many of his maps directly onto the copperplate, an innovative method he dubbed encyprotype. This technique produced exceptionally fine outlines, facilitated the careful revision of topography and relief, and allowed waterways to be differentiated by the weight of their engraved lines, making their relative importance immediately apparent. Brué eventually received the prestigious title Géographe du Roi, which he frequently appended to his signature, and in that capacity contributed to thousands of maps and numerous important atlases. Suffering from declining health, he retired to Sceaux, outside Paris, in search of cleaner air, but died there during the cholera epidemic of 1832. He was a member of the Central Commission of the Société de Géographie de Paris and an associate of the Geographical Society of London. Brué left numerous works unfinished at his death; several were published posthumously by his widow in 1834, before she transferred the business to Pierre-Jacques Picquet, son and successor of Brué's former associate Charles Picquet (1771 - 1827). Brué's maps continued to be revised and republished for decades, attesting to their enduring authority and commercial importance.   Further Details...

Charles Picquet (April 15, 1771 – January 15, 1827) was a French cartographer active in Paris during the Napoleonic and post-Napoleonic Eras. Picquet was born in Romagna-sous-Montfaucon, Meuse, France. From about 1798 Picquet supplied maps to the Dépôt de la Guerre. From 1806 he was appointed to Napoleon's Cabinet Topographique. Being politically dexterous, he was able to retain this position after the fall of Napoleon under both Louis XVIII and Charles X. Under Louis XVIII he also obtained the Brevet de Géographe Ordinaire du Cabinet Topographique. He worked with the cartographer Adrien-Hubert Brué (1787 - 1832) on a major atlas project. When Charles Picquet died in 1827, his son, Pierre-Jacques Picquet, continued to publish under his father's imprint name well into the middle part of the 19th century. From roughly 1839, one J. Barthelemier also claimed to be the 'seul acquéreur et successor' of the 'ancienne maison Ch. Picquet' though it is unclear if he succeeded the younger Picquet or challenged his claim to succession. Barthelemier only published maps infrequently until the late 1850s, after which he maintained a more steady output until the early-mid 1870s.   Further Details...

Source

Brué, A. H., Atlas universel de geographie physique, politique, ancienne et moderne, (Paris: Picquet) 1845.    

Condition

Very good. Even overall toning. Old color oxidized.

References

Wheat, C. I., Mapping of the Transmississippi West, 1540 – 1861, 361. Phillips (Atlases) 758, 4321. Rumsey 2741.060.