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Description

"Republic of Texas" in the Title of the Map

Scarce map of Texas, Mexico, Upper California and contiguous parts of the Southeastern US, naming the Republic of Texas.

The present map is one of the only obtainable printed maps to name the "Republic of Texas" in the Title of the map. The name appears both in the title and the body of the map as the Republic of Texas, making this both a unique and important map for Texas collectors. While a number of American and British map publishers issued maps of the region (both separately and in Atlases), none took the extra step of recognizing Texas as an independent nation in the tite of the map.

The map also bears a note stating: Note . . . The boundary between Mexico on the north and the United States is a line drawn from Cape Mendocino, (Lat. 40° 28' 40") Eastward to the Rocky Mountains. Top left: LXVI. Mines indicated by crosses.

William Home Lizars Biography

The Lizars were a Scottish family of engravers and printers who produced many views and maps. Daniel Lizars Sr. (1754-1812) was the son of a shoemaker, but he apprenticed with Andrew Bell, a printer and engraver. Lizars set up his own printworks near St. Giles Cathedral and took on his own apprentices, including George Bartholomew, whose son John would go on to found the important mapmaking firm later know as John Bartholomew & Son Ltd.  

Daniel Sr. had three sons: Daniel Jr., John, and William Home. He also had a daughter, Jane Home. Daniel Jr. (1793-1875), the youngest of the boys, apprenticed in his father’s shop alongside George Bartholomew. When his father died in 1812, Daniel Jr. took over much of the business, expanding it and specializing in maps. The company went bankrupt in 1832, however, and Daniel emigrated to Canada.

John Lizars (1792-1860), the middle son, studied medicine and became Professor of Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, as well as senior surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

William Home Lizars (1788-1859), the eldest, also apprenticed in his father’s shop. After learning engraving, William entered the Trustees’ Academy to learn under John Graham. He was a skilled painter and artist. When his father died, and after his Daniel Jr. left, he carried on printing and invented a method of etching that looks like wood engraving.