It's easy to find U.S. border maps with Canada and Mexico, but how about a border map with a different nation? What nation? For this we must go back in time, to that decade when America also bordered on the Republic of Texas. That wasn't a border for long, but at one point, there needed to be a boundary survey. Item 24 is The Maps of the 1838 International Boundary Survey Between the Republic of Texas and the United States, published in 1840. It contains four maps on ten sheets. They range from the mouth of the Sabine River at the Gulf of Mexico to the Red River. This set was prepared by the U.S. Topographical Engineers. $75,000.
Next is a truly amazing find, a hand-drawn battle map by an 18th century Native American, perhaps the only such document in existence. In 1787, the Spanish authorities in territorial New Mexico had much trouble with the Apaches. They needed help tracking them down, so they turned to their native enemies, the Comanche, for help. This map depicts a successful attack on the Apache by the Comanche, drawn by a member of the tribe, possibly even Chief Ysampampi. He has drawn the battlefield, including figures representing warriors and others. An evidently Spanish hand has placed letters next to the various depictions, with corresponding explanations for each one. What it reveals is that 5 Apaches were killed and 35 taken prisoner. The Comanche suffered one dead and 6 injured. Sixteen horses were captured, though 8 Comanche horses were wounded. The map made its way to Santa Fe and Territorial Governor Juan Bautista de Anza. De Anza was a notable southwestern explorer who was rewarded with the governorship for his exploits. He has signed the map. Item 16. $175,000.
Barry Lawrence Ruderman Rare Maps may be reached at 858-551-8500 or blr@raremaps.com. Their website is www.raremaps.com.
