(Texas) — Ikin, Arthur | A rare guide book by one of the most significant "English Texans"

Property from the Texana Collection of Howard Wilcox

(Texas) — Ikin, Arthur

Texas: Its History, Topography, Agriculture, Commerce, and General Statistics. To which is Added, a Copy of the Treaty of Commerce entered into by the Republic of Texas and Great Britain. Designed for the Use of the British Merchant, and as a Guide to Emigrants. London: Sherwood, Gilbert & Piper, 1841

12mo (140 x 88 mm). Folding lithographed frontispiece map of Texas after Ikin, partially handcolored in outline, wood-engraved title vignette of the Alamo; light spotting on first few leaves. Original rose cloth, gold-stamped title on upper cover; rebacked, original spine laid down. Half morocco slipcase.

First edition. An excellent guide for the prospective immigrant from Britain, written by an incorporator of the Texas Trading, Mining and Emigrating Company, and probably intended as promotional material. Rare: Last sold in these rooms in 2004, the present copy is evidently one of only two to appear at auction since a Newberry Library duplicate was sold at Parke-Bernet, 5 May 1966.

REFERENCES:

Clark, Old South 3:184; Graff 2061; Fifty Texas Rarities 23; Howes I6; Rader 2000; Streeter, Texas 1384

PROVENANCE:

"The Texas Independence Collection" (Sotheby's New York, 18 June 2004, lot 53)