1845 Morse's School of Geography Illustrated with Geographic Maps.
A System of Geography, for the Use of Schools. Illustrated with More Than Fifty Cerographic Maps, and Numerous Wood-Cut Engravings
By: Sidney E. Morse
Date: 1845 (published) New York, NY
Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.5 inches (31.75 x 24 cm)
This is an important antique school atlas featuring Texas as a Republic and boundary disputes between the United States and Canada in Maine and British Columbia. This is the second issue of Morse's Geography, the first having been published one year prior in 1844. The pictorial cover-boards still bear the date 1844, leading us to believe this was an early publication of the second edition.
This atlas is comprised of 53 hand colored maps with many black and white woodcut illustrations, most of which focus on the geographic makeup and understanding of the United States. At the time of publication, the United States extended from coast to coast, but did not yet include the independent Republic of Texas or much of the land west of the Rocky Mountain, south of the 42nd parallel. That region would remain part of Mexico until the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo in 1848.
The map of Texas is quite interesting as it provides text describing the recent history of its declaration of independence, the defeat of Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto, the origins of its inhabitants, buffalo hunts by the "wild Indian," and the fact that while slavery was abolished in Mexico, it was reinstated in the Republic of Texas.
This atlas serves as a wonderful example of educational teachings in geography during a time when the United States was undergoing what would be decades of growth and change, when the idea of manifest destiny was beginning to take hold and the dispute over slavery would divide the nation more so than ever before and after.
Condition: This atlas is in B condition with some breaks to the leather spine and damp staining within. All maps and pages are still bound into the spine and present nicely with some foxing here and there.
Inventory #12252
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