Auction 11, Cartography
Rarities

Items 351-End

351. [TEXAS & MEXICO]. Causas y Efectos de la Última Revolución de Mégico. Mexico: Imprenta de la Lima, dirigida por José Uribe y Alcalde, 1841. 32 pp., small 8vo, original beige printed wrappers, stitched. Lightly foxed, else fine.
        First edition. Very rare pamphlet attacking President Anastasio Bustamente's administration, in part for its failure to reconquer Texas. Palau 50467. Sabin 48331. Donated to the Texas State Historical Association by Shirley and Clifton Caldwell.
($150-300)

TEXIAN CAMPAIGN CHINA

352. [TEXIAN CAMPAIGN COMMEMORATIVE CHINA]. Brown and ivory patterned soft paste porcelain 10-inch dinner plate, ca. 1850. Excellent condition.
        Commemorative "Texian Campaigne" plate with a center transfer design depicting a scene from the Mexican-American War. The Texian Campaigne series was designed by "J. B.," produced by Anthony Shaw, and made in Burslem, Staffordshire, England. The border incorporates medallions depicting Ceres and military trophies.
($3,000-5,000)

353. THORPE, Thomas B. Our Army on the Rio Grande.... Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, 1846. 196, 19 (ads) pp., frontispiece, illustrated title, plates, map, text illustrations. 12mo, original front wrapper. A very fragile and worn copy, paper friable, broken at spine, some leaves loose, lower part of p. 100 missing where torn across the text illustration, text browned and brittle, lacking pp. 15-16 of ads at back, but the engraved plates are fine in this scarce work.
        First edition. Basic Texas Books 205: "Contains a wealth of eyewitness material relating to the Mexican War along the South Texas border. Most of the illustrations are from drawings by Thorpe. As a supporter and political ally of Gen. Zachary Taylor, many official doors were opened to him.... Thorpe gives us the best picture of the Texas arena of the Mexican War." Haferkorn, p. 53. Howes T236. Raines, p. 204. Tutorow 3447.
($250-500)

354. TRAVIS, William Barret. Autograph letter, signed, to Governor Henry Smith, dated at Bexar, February 15, 1836. 1 p., folio. Two small old repairs to split at fold and one tiny void due to ink corrosion, else very fine, with a good strong rubricated signature by Travis.
        Travis writes: "Sir I take pleasure in introducing to your acquaintance & friendly notice my friend & your namesake, Erastus Smith, who has proven himself to be 'the Bravest of the Brave' in the cause of Texas. He has been the friend of Texas in time of need; Texas ought to befriend & protect him & his helpless family -He will give you the news relative to everything here-& upon him you may rely -Your friend W Barret Travis"
        This outstanding letter is one of the last letters written by the hero of the Alamo. Travis's famous letter from the Alamo (February 24, 1836) appealing for aid and reinforcements and written "To the People of Texas and all Americans in the world" has been described as the most heroic document in American history. It was "Deaf" Smith who carried Travis's famous letter from the Alamo. After the fall of the Alamo, Sam Houston dispatched Smith back to San Antonio to learn the status of the Alamo garrison, and it was Smith who accompanied the survivors from the Alamo. During the San Jacinto campaign "Deaf" Smith captured a Mexican courier bearing important dispatches to Santa Anna, and on April 21, 1836, Smith destroyed Vince's Bridge to prevent the retreat of the Mexican army. Houston entrusted to Smith Santa Anna's order to Gen. Vicente Filisola to evacuate Texas. On hearing of the death of "Deaf" Smith, Sam Houston wrote to Anna Raguet, "My Friend Deaf Smith, and my stay in darkest hour, Is no more!!! A man, more brave, and honest never, lived. His soul is with God, but his fame and his family, must command the care of His Country!"
        William Barret Travis, the heroic commander of the Alamo, hardly needs introduction. He was early and aggressive in his pursuit of Texian independence. Travis's involvement with the Anahuac Disturbances of 1832 resulted in armed clashes at Velasco and Nacogdoches later that summer and produced the conventions of 1832 and 1833 with their petitions for repeal of the Law of April 6, 1830, and separate statehood. Travis was regarded by many Texans as a hot-headed troublemaker. Travis advised the Consultation on the organization of cavalry for the army and became the chief recruiting officer for the army. Governor Henry Smith ordered Travis to recruit 100 men and reinforce Col. James C. Neill at San Antonio in January 1836, and Smith eventually named Travis commander of the Alamo. Henry Smith, the first American governor of Texas, became one of the leaders of the independence party, and urged an immediate declaration of independence.
        Although unsigned legal papers written by Travis can be found in the market occasionally, a truly good letter with Texas content actually signed by Travis is a real rarity. This is one of the great Travis letters.

(Details upon request.)

TREATY OF LIMITS & THE SOUTHWESTERN BOUNDARY

355. [TREATY OF LIMITS (U.S. & Mexico)]. MEXICO. PRIMERA SECRETARIA DE ESTADO. DEPARTAMENTO DEL EXTERIOR. [Decree of June 18, 1836, containing additional article, text commences]: El Exmo. Sr. Presidente interino de la República Mexicana...decreto que sigue.... Que á efecto de facilitar del cumplimiento del art. 3. del Tratado de límites.... Mexico, 1836. 4-page folio folder, printed in Spanish and English. Very fine in gray cloth box with red leather spine label.
        First Mexican printing. Bauer Sale 13. Eberstadt, Texas 162:853. Streeter 1257A. This decree, which relates to the long-disputed and delayed southwestern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase, sets the time and place and appoints commissioners for running and marking the boundary from the mouth of the Sabine River to the Pacific Ocean in northern California. Since the treaty became effective on the same day as the Battle of San Jacinto, the whole matter of the boundary became meaningless as far as Texas was concerned. See Streeter 1256.
($1,000-2,000)

356. TRIGGS, J. H. History and Directory of Laramie City, Wyoming Territory.... Laramie City: Daily Sentinel Print, 1875. 91 pp. 8vo, original blue printed wrappers, stitched. Front wrapper lightly stained, title page repaired, generally fine.
        First edition. Adams, Guns 2239; Herd 2332: "Very rare." Eberstadt 136:667: "A history of the region from the day of first settlement in April of 1868. It has long been recognized by students of western history as probably the most honest, outspoken, and vivid account of the early and turbulent days. Laramie was famous for its disorder, crime, and rapid growth. Triggs describes the horde that first came in as made up of one-fifth honest and daring men, the balance 'were gamblers, thieves, highwaymen, robbers, cut-throats, garroters, prostitutes, and their necessary companions.' The narrative describes the ensuing mass-meeting to form a government; its organization and collapse; the reign of violence; the formation of the Vigilance Committee government; the battles between the Vigilantes and the new police and succeeding events, until finally the Territorial legislature in desperation, took away the city's charter, and put the community under the jurisdiction of the Federal courts." Graff 4191. Howes T351. Streeter Sale 2245
($1,500-3,000)

357. TYLER, Ron. Audubon's Great National Work. The Royal Octavo Edition of "The Birds of America." Austin: W. Thomas Taylor, [1993]. xvii [3] 213 [3] pp. 4to, cloth over decorated boards. [With, as issued]: Original Plates from the First and Second Editions of "The Birds of North America".... [4] pp., 2 plates. 4to, green wrappers. Original folding cloth box. Mint.
        First edition, limited edition (225 copies, with two original Audubon plates from the first and second 8vo editions laid in). The two original plates with this copy are "The Chestnut-Sided Wood-Warbler." Superb scholarly study.
($400-800)

358. UNITED STATES. ARMY. DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS. (E. O. C. Ord, Commanding General). Report...Relative to...His Department, and the Security and Protection of the Texas Frontier. Headquarters, Department of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 1, 1879. [2, blank] 4 [2] 28 [3] pp., large folding table, printed front and back, providing summaries of location and numbers of troops, and a roster of commanders of individual districts and forts within the Department of Texas. Small 8vo, original printed wrappers, stitched as issued. Spine chipped and worn, otherwise fine. Very rare.
        First edition. The text includes reports by each fort's commander concerning ranches and their wells, other physical capacities, and most importantly, suppression of depredations and cattle rustling along the Rio Grande border. Ord's command was also involved in locating and retrieving large deposits of silver, lead, iron, and copper in far West Texas. Gilcrease-Hargrett Catalogue, p. 366: "No other copy can be traced." Howes O104. The Handbook of Texas Online (Ord): "[Ord] received assignment to command the Military Department of Texas on April 11, 1875. He supervised the construction of Fort Sam Houston." Donated to the Texas State Historical Association by Shirley and Clifton Caldwell.
($1,500-3,000)

359. UNITED STATES. PRESIDENT (Andrew Jackson). ...Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Twenty-Fourth Congress. December 6, 1836.... Washington: SED1, 1836. 554 pp., 3 folding maps, 1 profile. 8vo, modern brown cloth, black leather label. Title soiled and stained, a few leaves dog-eared.
        First edition. Streeter 1254: "The documents accompanying the message include, at pages 26-105, correspondence with Gorostiza from May 14 to October 20 on Texas matters."
($150-300)

SAN JACINTO VETERAN

360. USHER, Patrick. Manuscript, signed, by which Thomas Simons transfers to surveyor Joseph McLawrence a one-fourth interest in bounty land granted "as a Regular Soldier during the War" in exchange for surveying the property. Signed by San Jacinto veteran Patrick Usher as chief justice of Jackson County. The body of the document is entirely in Usher's hand. "Republic of Texas, County of Jackson," January 20, 1838. 1 p., folio. Also signed by Thomas Simons and witnessed by Andrew J. Dunlop(?). A few old ink stains and a few minor splits at folds.
        Usher immigrated to Texas in 1835, joined the Texas army in April 1836, and served at the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1842 he was a first lieutenant during the Vásquez raid and a private in the Army of the South West for the Somervell expedition. He took part in the ill-fated battle of Mier, drew a white bean in the notorious Black Bean Episode, and died from suffering and starvation at Perote prison. See Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Muster Rolls of the Texas Revolution (Austin, 1986); Dixon & Kemp, Heroes of San Jacinto, p. 200; and The Handbook of Texas Online (Patrick Usher). Mier expedition signatures are rare.
($400-800)

361. WALKER, Simeon. Original unpublished manuscript diary, in three sections: a journal of his trip to Texas (December 1853-February 1854); a journal from his service as a chaplain in an Illinois regiment in the Civil War (July 1863-February 1864); and his autobiography, recorded for his family in 1878. 281 pp. in ink. Small 8vo, cloth over boards, sewn. Edges worn, spine split and broken down the center, edges of leaves lightly browned, a quarter section torn out of rear endsheet.
        Walker was a Methodist minister from Illinois. He traveled throughout East Texas between December 1853 and February 1854, including stays in Hunt, Henderson, Anderson, Walker, Cherokee, and Rusk Counties. He describes the land and speculates regarding future cultivation and settlement. For example, pitching their tents on the western bank of the Sabine River or one of its prominent branches near its source, he writes that it is "a beautiful Bottom of good timber which by the way is rather a scarce article in many parts of this rich and delighfull country. We are now in Hunt County and within five miles of Greenville its Seat there is a vast portion of as rich looking land in this portion of Texas as I have seen. But in many places it seems to have participated in that declaration of the Almighty that the Earth should bring forth briers thisals and thorns as fully as any part of the Earth as I have seen." He also describes sights and people he encountered, such as a town depopulated by yellow fever, a band of religious zealots, etc. This portion of the journal also covers his return journey, east and north to Memphis and from there via steamship back to Illinois.
        When Walker next used the journal (July 1863-February 1864), he was chaplain for an Illinois regiment fighting in the Civil War, primarily stationed in Mississippi and Arkansas. His journal depicts camp life: its rhythms and dangers, stories related by visitors or carried by word of mouth, his ministry in the camps and hospitals, and the interaction of Union troops with prisoners and freed slaves. Walker made a conscious effort to describe the effects of war on the Southern countryside, people, and class structure. Though his family was originally from Georgia, Walker was a staunch Unionist, and he made observations about the disintegration of the Union.
        Walker's autobiography (1878) occupies about half of the volume, and primarily concerns his spiritual life, especially his experiences as a circuit-riding preacher in Illinois in the 1830s. His family moved north to Illinois in 1809, and his account contains descriptions of the frontier at that time, including service in the War of 1812.
($1,500-3,000)

362. WALL, Oscar G. Recollections of the Sioux Massacre.... [Lake City: M. C. Russell "The Home Printery"], 1909. 382 [2, blank] iii pp., plates, maps, illustrations. 8vo, original red cloth. Fine. Presentation copy, signed by the author's wife.
        First edition. Howes 46: "With Marsh at Fort Ridgley in 1862, and with Sibley's 1863 expedition."
($60-120)

363. WARD, Dudley. Civil War correspondence file of 34 autograph letters, signed, and one printed document completed in manuscript, from Thomas William Ward's son Dudley to his father (one letter to his brother James) dated from January 15, 1863, to September 14, 1864. Mostly 3 to 4 pp., 4to and 8vo. Some leaves browned, edges chipped, or ink faded, but overall in very good condition.
        In the first letter, from Camp in the Field (near the mouth of the San Bernard), January 25, 1863, Ward writes, "A Yankee blockader generally lies off, and occasionally amuses herself by throwing a few shells which are usually answered by our guns, resulting sometimes in injury to her, but our metal is so light, that we cannot do much damage. Our regiment is in a Brigade commanded by Col. Smith together with three regiments of State Troops, in one of which is Gray's Company from Austin and vicinity." The next six letters are from Brenham (February 6, 1863), Fort Pemberton on the Yazoo River (March 14 and April 7, 1863), and camp near Vicksburg (April 18, 27, and 28, 1863), with observations about soldiering and the war.
        The printed document is a parole dated July 7, 1863, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, signed by Dudley Ward as a "private of Co. 'Y' Reg't 2, Texas" and a prisoner of war "in the hands of the United States Forces, in virtue of the capitulation of the City of Vicksburg and its garrison." The next letter is from Camp Lubbock, Houston, November 16, 1863. Ensuing letters are from Houston, Camp at the mouth of the Caney River, Camp Sydney near mouth of the Caney, Mud Island, and Galveston.
        In his last letter from Galveston dated September 7, 1864, Ward reports an outbreak of yellow fever in Houston and Galveston and his decision to remain in Galveston rather than leave with the regiment. "My reasons for this course are that I think that one will be just as liable to take the disease at camp, which is only four miles off, as in the city, besides all the supplies will have to be brought from this post, and if a person happens to be sick in camp he will be almost sure to die for want of nurses, which I understand are more necessary to the cure of the fever than even medicine. Whereas here I have a good many friends who have been accustomed all their lives to the epidemic, and who will certainly, if I should chance to get ill, take the greatest care of me, and I think it better that if I come to have a visit of the fever it had better come at once when I am young and able to bear it."
        Dudley's father, Thomas William "Peg Leg" Ward (1807-72), was a hero of the Texas Revolution and a bitter opponent of secession. See The Handbook of Texas Online (Thomas William Ward).
($5,000-10,000)

364. WAVELL, [Arthur Goodall]. "Description de la province de Texas, par le Genéral Wavel," in Nouvelles annales des voyages et des sciences géographiques. N.p., n.d. [1] 6-26 pp. 8vo, later marbled paper wrappers with tipped-on label "Texas." Fine.
        Translation from vol. 2 of Mexico in 1827 by Henry George Ward (Streeter 1104). Arthur G. Wavell was a colonial empresario who helped Stephen F. Austin transfer the empresario grant to his name after the death of Moses Austin. Interested in attracting colonists, Wavell described Texas geography, weather, habitations, farming and ranching, wildlife, etc., commenting that Texas is more naturally blessed with commerce than almost all the other provinces of Mexico. See The Handbook of Texas Online (Arthur Goodall Wavell).
($100-200)

365. WHARTON, J. E. History of the City of Denver from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. To Which is Added a Full and Complete Business Directory of the City, by D. O. Wilhelm. Denver: Byers & Dailey, Printers, News Office, 1866. 184 pp., numerous ads throughout, including pastedowns. 12mo, original cloth over printed green boards. Spine with manuscript title tipped on, edges worn, joints cracked, purple owner's stamp on front and rear pastedowns.
        First edition of an early and significant Colorado imprint. Eberstadt 135:267 (offering the imprint at $850 in 1954): "Among connoisseurs of Rocky Mountain lore, this work has long been esteemed as one of the most-to-be-desired books printed in the Territory. As the pioneer history of the region, it ranks historically as one of the veritable nuggets of western literature, affording a contemporary record of the earliest emigration and the gold 'strikes'; of the beginnings of their duels, murders, and executions; the disasters by flood and fire; the Indian outrages and wars that led to the Chivington massacre; etc." Graff 4617. Howes W303: "Rarest of Colorado local histories; first of this city." Jones, Adventures in Americana 295: "Excessively rare." McMurtrie & Allen, Early Printing in Colorado 73. Streeter Sale 2172: "The first history of Denver and one of the rarest Colorado local histories." No copies noted in all of the Morrison guides; the only copy we find at auction in "recent" years was the Streeter copy in 1970.
($1,000-2,000)

366. WHARTON, John A. Manuscript promissory note, executed and signed by J. Brown, for $680.00 in favor of John A. Wharton, dated January 12, 1836. Payment notation on verso signed by Wharton. 2pp., oblong 12mo. Two tape repairs, very good.
        Sam Houston appointed Wharton to be Texas agent in New Orleans in 1835. During the Revolution he served as Houston's chief of staff and was distinguished for bravery at San Jacinto. After the Revolution, Wharton attempted to secure the release of his brother and others who had been captured aboard the Texas naval vessel Independence, but was himself imprisoned. He escaped and returned to Texas, serving briefly as secretary of war and then as congressional representative from Brazoria.
($200-400)

FIRST PRINTING OF THE TEXAS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN A PAMPHLET

367. WHARTON, William H. Address of the Honorable Wm. H. Wharton, Delivered in New York, on Tuesday, April 26, 1836. Also, Address of the Honorable Stephen F. Austin, Delivered in Louisville, Kentucky, on the 7th March, 1836.... New York: Printed for William H. Colyer, 1836. 56 pp. 8vo, early twentieth-century three-quarter red morocco over marbled boards. Upper hinge slightly rubbed, generally very fine.
        First edition, the issue with the three-line caption on p. [5] (no priority established, although Streeter suggests the six-line caption was first). Eberstadt, Texas 162:908: "Important: The first printing in book form of the Texas Declaration of Independence: 1836. The work is an indispensable source for the activities in the States of the Texas Revolution Commissioners." Howes W309. Streeter 1260 (many copies located, of both issues): "Austin's address was first printed in Lexington in 1836.... Among 'Other Documents' is a reprinting of the Declaration of Independence. This is probably the first printing in pamphlet form."
($4,000-8,000)

368. [WHITAKER, DANIEL KIMBALL]. Sydney's Letters to William E. Channing, D.D., Occasioned by His Letter to Hon. Henry Clay, on the Annexation of Texas to the United States. First Published in the "Charleston Courier." Charleston: Edward C. Councell, 1837. 84 pp. 12mo, contemporary beige calf over marbled boards, spine blind-stamped with title. Lacking original wraps, Yale University Library stamp on title page, otherwise very fine.
        First edition. Streeter 1303: "This has eight undated letters signed, Sidney. That D. K. Whitaker was the author is shown by the manuscript inscription on page [3] of the Library of Congress copy, 'To Prof. Geo. Bush with the respects of the author D. K. Whitaker.'" The letters attack Channing for his antislavery stance and argue in defense of the institution of slavery and in defense of annexation of Texas to the Union, while digressing into discussions of slavery; the Bible and Christianity; Texas history; freedom of the press; states' rights under the Constitution; inferiority of the African race; theories of property, etc. Channing's view was that "it seems not only the right, but the duty of the free States, in case of the annexation of Texas, to say to the slave-holding States, 'we regard this act as the dissolution of the Union.'" Donated to the Texas State Historical Association by Shirley and Clifton Caldwell.
($150-300)

369. WHITE, E. E. Service on the Indian Reservations. Being the Experiences of a Special Indian Agent While Inspecting Agencies and Serving as Agent for Various Tribes; Including Explanations of How the Government Service Is Conducted on the Reservations; Descriptions of Agencies; Anecdotes Illustrating the Habits, Customs, and Peculiarities of the Indians.... [Little Rock: Privately Published, 1893]. 336 pp., engraved illustrations. 12mo, original slate green cloth lettered in gilt and black. Light outer wear and a few mild stains, internally very fine. Uncommon.
        First edition. Tate, The Indians of Texas 3409 (citing the 1965 reprint): "In 1885 White was appointed as a special agent by the Office of Indian Affairs. This book, originally published in 1893, gives his brief description of conditions on the Kiowa-Comanche Reservation." The author relates his experiences in Texas (much on Quanah Parker), Indian Territory, Kansas, Utah, Colorado, etc.
($600-1,200)

CORRECTIONS TO TEXAS HISTORY

370. WILSON, Mrs. M. A. C. Reminiscences of Persons, Events, Records and Documents of Texian Times [wrapper title]. Austin: Press of E. W. Swindells, 1882. 12 pp. 8vo, pale green printed wrappers. Fragile wrappers reinforced with tissue at spine and left side of title. Occasional ink notes (author's?) making corrections or adding additional material. OCLC locates three copies (UT Austin, Bancroft, & Yale).
        First edition. Eberstadt 131:662: "The only copy we have seen.... The work is an important revision of recorded history, with new data on the Mier Expedition printed from Col. Wilson's own letters. There are other intimate details of early historical events, notably in connection with General Houston." Raines, p. 220.
($250-500)

371. WRIGHT, William. The Oil Regions of Pennsylvania. Showing Where Petroleum Is Found; How It Is Obtained, and at What Cost. With Hints for Whom It May Concern. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1865. 275 pp. 8vo, original teal cloth. Other than some light staining to binding, a fine copy, with early lending library bookplates on front endpapers.
        First edition. Swanson, A Century of Oil & Gas in Books, p. 35: "Author made extensive tour of Oil Regions early in 1865 as correspondent for New York Times. Book widely read and highly regarded."
($200-400)

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS MUSTER ROLL

372. [WOLL EXPEDITION]. Printed muster roll, completed in manuscript, commencing in print at top: Muster Roll of Captain [George M. Dolson] Company I ["A" of the Fourth Regiment Artillery] commanded by [Colonel Henry Jones] of the [First] Brigade of the Militia of the Republic of Texas. N.p., March 6, 1842. 2 pp., large folio. Split at folds and separated into 6 segments (no losses). Signed by George M. Dolson. Manuscript note on verso by Thomas Ward.
        An exceedingly rare form of military documentation for the Republic. Printed titles above columns include name, rank, enrollment date, classification, when called into service, when discharged, and remarks.
($3,000-6,000)

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