Disturnell, John

Engraved pocket map (40 1/8 x 29 5/8 in.; 1018 x 752 mm), full contemporary handcoloring, engraved vignette of the federal seal of Mexico, large inset “Carta de los caminos &c. desde Vera Cruz y Alvarado a Méjico,” five smaller insets: “Diagram of the Battle Ground [of Buena Vista] Feb 22d and 23d 1847,” “Plan of Monterey and its Environs,” “Map showing the Battle Grounds of the 8th and 9th May 1846 by J. H. Eaton,” “Chart of the Bay of Vera Cruz drawn by order of V. Admiral Baudin,” and “Tampico and its Environs,” two tables (Tabla de Distancias, Tabla Estadistica). Tipped within original brown cloth binding with English language title ("Map of the Republic of Mexico") on front cover. 

Handsomely framed and glazed with UVIII Plexiglass. Some light discoloration at central fold, repaired tear with stain at lower right corner.

Martin-Ristow in A la Carte 23; Ristow, p. 451 

Engraved pocket map (40 1/8 x 29 5/8 in.; 1018 x 752 mm), full contemporary handcoloring, engraved vignette of the federal seal of Mexico, large inset "Carta de los caminos &c. desde Vera Cruz y Alvarado a Méjico," five smaller insets: "Diagram of the Battle Ground [of Buena Vista] Feb 22d and 23d 1847," "Plan of Monterey and its Environs," "Map showing the Battle Grounds of the 8th and 9th May 1846 by J. H. Eaton," "Chart of the Bay of Vera Cruz drawn by order of V. Admiral Baudin," and "Tampico and its Environs," two tables (Tabla de Distancias, Tabla Estadistica). Tipped within original brown cloth binding with English language title ("Map of the Republic of Mexico") on front cover. Handsomely framed and glazed with UVIII Plexiglass. Some light discoloration at central fold, repaired tear with stain at lower right corner.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The twenty-third, and penultimate, edition of Disturnell's widely influential map, incorporating several revisions, including the addition of "Eagle Pass" in northern Coahuila and the substitution of "Sacramento City" for "Nueva Helvetia." More an entrepreneur than a cartographer, Disturnell recognized that maps of Texas and the West would become popular items after the state was admitted to the Union in 1845, and the Mexican-American War made it an even more popular commodity.  "The demand for maps of the west by Americans increased with the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846. This was reflected in the inclusion of Mexico on U.S. maps and in the publication of separate maps of Mexico with adjoining states of the Union. Particularly significant, because it was used in negotiating the peace treaty of February 2, 1848, that brought the Mexican War to a close, was John Disturnell’s Map of the United States of Mexico” (Ristow).