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Description

Nice example of Brue's wall map of Texas, Upper California and Mexico, one of the most interesting large format maps of the region published during the period.

Wheat described Brue's work as monumental, much on the order of the Arrowsmith and Wyld maps of the period. First issued in 1834, the map was revised in 1837, 1839, 1840, 1845 and 1848, keeping abreast of the changing landscape of the region and the political intrigues of the United States, England, France, Russia and of course Mexico.

The map contains one of the earliest obtainable depictions of the route of Jedidiah Smith. The Route de Smith in 1826 connects Lac Teguayo, to the R. Adams, Rock Salt Cavern and Seeds-Keeder River and San Diego and then extends north to M. St. Joseph. The information was derived from a letter from Smith published in the Nouvelles Annales des Voyages in 1828. Wheat notes that the Brue's attempt to actually depict Smith' route without Smith's map was a shot in the dark, but nevertheless makes Brue's map "one of the foundation stones of western mapping history…."

The unique element of this edition of the map which is of tremendous interest is the identification of the Russian possessions, shown in blue above California (Etabt. Russe). This addition was probably made after a review of the map of Duflot Du Mofras in 1844, and quickly disappears from the map, as it is not included on the 1848 edition.

The map is of nearly equal importance for its treatment of Texas, naming Austin and showing nearly a dozen roads and many other pre-republic details. The mythical river connecting Lac Timpanagos and the Pacific, via the Multnomah River is shown, as are the remnants of the mythical Rio Sacramento, extending from Salt Lake to the Pacific. The treatment of the entirety of the southern Transmississippi West is of great note and marks a milestone at the beginning of the exploration of Texas, the Rockies, California and the Southwest.

Offered here in the 1845 edition, which shows Texas as a Republic, and New Mexico and Upper California as part of Mexico.

Condition Description
Several minor marginal tears, expertly repaired on verso, just entering decorative border and to the bottom left.
Reference
Wheat 404.
Adrien-Hubert Brué Biography

Andre Hubert Brué was a French geographer and cartographer. Born in Paris, he served in the French Navy, joining the Baudin expedition to the Pacific (1800-1804). After his sea service, Brué applied his navigation and charting skills to creating finely-crafted maps, which were renowned for their crisp engraving and accuracy. He drew directly on the copper of the plate, creating what he called encyprotypes. He is best known for the Atlas universal de géographie physique, politique, ancienne et moderne.