1851 Tallis Map of the United States

Unusual early mapping of the transmississippi showing origins of Nebraska and New Mexico Territory.

This is a fascinating 1851 map of the United States by the English map and atlas publisher John Tallis and his engraver John Rapkin. Covers the United States from Santa Fe north through the Missouri Territory to Canada and east to the Atlantic. The Trans-Mississippi region is exceptionally interesting with a fascinating (if somewhat inaccurate even at the time) depiction of the political geography. A long narrow Nebraska territory extends to Canada. There is a large 'Western Territory' roughly where Oklahoma is today. Probably the most interesting element of this map is its curious treatment of the New Mexico territory. In the previous edition of this map, 1850, the area that is here New Mexico was part of the original Texas annexation. New Mexico Territory was created in 1850 following U.S. acquisition of Upper California (Alta California) in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe-Hildago - which ended the Mexican American War. Curiously, though Tallis is fully appraised of these events, as exhibited by his inclusion of the newly created New Mexico Territory, he does not extend it westward beyond the Rio Grande to include its charter claims in Upper California. Why Tallis made this decision is unclear though it may be a case of carto-advocacy in support of Mexico. Washington and Franklin medallions decorate the right and left borders. Decorative vignettes depicts a Buffalo Hunt, Penn's Treaty with the Indians, and the Washington Monument. The whole has the highly decorative presentation and elaborate border distinctive of Tallis maps. Undated but, published by the John Tallis & Company, London & New York in 1851.

Cartographer

John Tallis (November 7, 1817 - June 3, 1876) was an English map publisher and bookseller. Born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, he worked in his father's Birmingham agency from 1836 to 1842. Around 1838, Tallis published a collection of London Street Views and entered into a partnership with his brother Frederick Tallis from 1842 to 1849. Tallis and Company also published the Illustrated Atlas of the World (1849). Also in 1849, Tallis traveled to New York City, where he established agencies in 6 American cities. After returning from New York, Tallis paid his brother £10,000 for his share of the business and subsequently operated as John Tallis and Company until 1854. By 1853, John Tallis and Company had agencies in 26 cities in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada and employed over 500 people. On February 24, 1854, Tallis brought on a new partner, Ephraim Tipton Brain (1791 - 1876), forming the London Printing and Publishing Company. After a series of setbacks, however, Tallis had to sell his estate and by 1861 was declared bankrupt. Friends and former employees kept him afloat, but none of his 'various ambitious projects' proved lucrative. Tallis married Jane Ball on December 6, 1836, in Birmingham, and they lived together until she died in 1862. Tallis remarried on June 27, 1863, to Mary Stephens, with whom he had two children.   Further Details...

Source

Tallis, J., The Illustrated Atlas, And Modern History Of The World Geographical, Political, Commercial & Statistical, 1851.    

Condition

Very good condition. Original centerfold. Blank on verso.

References

Rumsey 0466.071. Phillips (Atlases) 804-70.