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A remarkable and apparently unique manuscript map of American commercial relations by noted Texas map maker Anton Roessler.

Roessler's map was produced in February 1868, 15 months prior to the completion of the Central Pacific Railway, the first Trans-continental railroad in America and 19 months after the second (and successful) commencement of service via the trans-Atlantic Telegraph.

Anton Roessler is among the most celebrated Texas map makers. He is perhaps best remembered for his role in preserving the results of Benjamin Franklin Shumard's abortive geological survey of Texas, and for his state map of Texas and maps of 16 of its counties produced in the 1870s. He spent most of his active life in that state, though in the late 1860s he worked for a time as a geologist for the U.S. General Land Office in Washington, D.C.

This manuscript by Roessler depicts the world on the Mercator projection, including recent discoveries in the Arctic and Antarctica. Within the United States, major rivers and mountain ranges are indicated, individual states outlined and important cities identified, and major rail lines delineated, including the soon-to-be completed Union and Central Pacific lines. Other symbols are used to indicate routes of circumnavigation, submarine telegraphs, and existing and projected overland telegraphs. Two tables at the base of the map provides a range of demographic, economic and geographic statistics. The incredibly fine lettering, calligraphic elements, watercolor wash, and many tiny flags all combine to yield a most attractive image.

Per the title, the superficial goal of the map is to show the United States at the center of a global network of communication and trade routes. To this end a tangle of solid blue lines representing trading routes criss-cross the world, the majority converging on New York and San Francisco. Each bears a note indicating its length and terminal ports, as well as a tiny flag indicating the dominant nation along that route. The vast majority of routes are labeled as American or British, though the French, Russians and Spanish are also represented.

Closer inspection suggests the map has a rather more subtle-and parochial-message. The map centers roughly on the State of Nevada, which entered the Union in 1864 and alone among the states is highlighted in color. Further, the state is shown straddling the soon-to-be completed Central Pacific Railroad, suggesting that with its extensive mineral resources and access to transportation, it is well-placed to become an important node in the network of global commerce.

A further clue of sorts is provided by a penciled note to the linen on the map's verso:

"Taken out of case 4/2010 1868
"Case Inscribed Honorable James W. Wye U.S. Senator from Nevada"

Nye (1815-1876) was appointed by Lincoln as governor of the newly-created Nevada Territory from 1861-64, then served a as one of its first two U.S. Senators until losing the 1872 election. During his years as a Senator-when this map was drawn-he would have been concerned with attracting investment to exploit the state's rich gold, silver and other mineral resources. Roessler's map would have provided ammunition to support his efforts in this direction.

Other than the inscription we have found no evidence associating Nye with Roessler. It is possible that Roessler made the map for some unnamed third party, who then presented it to Nye.

The map appears to be unique. We find no reference to another such map by Roessler, and a broader search for period maps with similar titles yields no results.