• Title: A Map of Louisiana and Mexico - Carte de la Louisiane et du Mexique, Dressee par P Tardieu fils aine, gravee par PAF Tardieu pere. Paris 1820.
  
• Sizes: 36in x 24in (910mm x 610mm)
  
• Condition: (A) Good Condition
• Date: 1820
• Ref #:  93009

Description:
This rare, original large hand coloured, antique copper plate engraved map of Texas, SW America & Mexico (sheet 2 of 2 southern portion) by Pierre Francois Tardieu and Charles Picquet (1771 - 1827) was engraved in 1820 - dated - and published by J Goujon, Paris.
This map is incredibly important in the history of Mexico, Texas and the United States a time of big political and international change in both countries. (Ref: M&B; Tooley)

General Definitions:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color : - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, green, blue, pink
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 36in x 24in (910mm x 610mm)
Plate size: - 32 1/2in x 22 1/2in (860mm x 570mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - Bottom left corner replaced in facsimile
Plate area: - Bottom left corner replaced in facsimile
Verso: - Bottom left corner replaced in facsimile

To be more precise the maps are;

1. Alexander von Humboldt 1811 - "A New Map of Spain"
2. Z M Pike 1810 - "A Map of The Internal Provinces of New Spain"
3. Lewis and Clark 1814 - "Map of Lewis and Clark's Track, Across the Western Portion of North America"
4. Aaron Arrowsmith 1816 - "A New Map of Mexico"
5. John Melish 1816 - "Map of The United States"

By themselves each of these maps had a profound affect on the understanding of the region and the eventual expansion of the United States. Tardieus compared, analysed & combined the correct data from each map, as well as new information from other sources, and publish a large scale map stretching from the edge of the established western United States to Texas, Mexico, California & the southwest.
Another unique quality of the map is the use of English in a French published map. Not only is the title in English first, but most of the place names and observations are also written in English. Very unusual for a French map of the period, which illustrates how shrewd Tardieu was, marketing the map to the newly independent American home market.
Because there is 10 years difference between publication of these maps, each had their own mistakes and idiosyncrasies. For instance, although De Humboldt spent many months in Mexico researching for his book and maps of New Spain, he eventually used the wrong observations of Gen. James Wilkinson on the depiction of the Texas rivers, giving them too much southerly direction. Pike on the other hand explored parts of Texas himself and depicted the rivers in their correct SE direction, but Pike's delineation of the Texas coast followed the incorrect Jeffery's model instead of the far superior & up to date model used by Humboldt from Mexican data.
Arrowsmith's approach to cartography differed again from both Humboldt's and Pikes. He used data from various different sources, rather than predominately from a single  source and scientific hypothesis as did Humboldt, or the more direct military reconnaissance approach of Pike. There is no doubt that Arrowsmith borrowed heavily from both Humboldt's & Pikes maps of Texas, but what makes his map a stand out is the use of data and observations from sources such as the Hudson Bay Company to expanded his map to include more of Louisiana, California and the NW.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-06 gained an understanding of the geography of the west & northwest and produced the first accurate maps of the region. During the journey, Lewis and Clark drew some 140 maps. The discoveries made on the expedition helped Tardieu update many details of his map. One detail of significance was the relationships and sources of the Columbia & Missouri Rivers as well as the previously underestimated domination of the Rocky Mountains.
The large Melish map of 1816 stretching from the East Coast to California was of vital importance to Tardieus map. It gave him the boundaries agreed to by the Adams-Onis treaty between Spain & The United States in which the US gave up its claims to Texas in exchange for Spain's claim on Florida. Melish's Philadelphia publishing company was also one of the first in the newly independent US to be devoted to the publication of cartographical material. He had recognised the potential of expansion into the west and so accumulated vast amounts of detail in which to include in his extremely popular 1816 large 6 sheet map. He also included data from William Darby who had personally surveyed the Sabine River & other parts of Texas. Melish published Darby's map of The State of Louisiana in 1816.
The progression of maps from Humboldt's to Pike & Arrowsmith's is obvious and with the publication of the Lewis & Clark map of the West in 1814 & the large scale America map by John Melish in 1816, Tardieu was in a unique position to produce an accurate and definite map that combined details from all maps.
In the end, Tardieu's map of Texas, Mexico and the West may be seen as a natural progression from previous cartographical iteration. But the sign of a incisive mind is the ability to research and define the mistakes of others and have the conviction to correct popular belief and to publish, in this case to a growing and emerging market.
There are only 2 published sales of this map in AMPR in the last 25 years. There are sales of the southern sheet of two (in its other form) but none of the northern sheet. In comparison there are 7 sales records of Von Humboldts map with a top price of $22,500. One sales record for Lewis & Clark of $18,000 in 2006. Four sales of Arrowsmith's map with a top of $39,100 & 10 sales of the Melish map with a top price of $75,000 in 2008. (Ref: Wheat; Martin; Streeter; M&B; Tooley)

Please note all items auctioned are genuine, we do not sell reproductions. A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) can be issued on request.