Nuevo Mapa de Mexico (RARE. HAND-COLORED, 1871)

HAND-COLORED, BEAUTFULLY INTACT MAP OF MEXICO, 1871. By George Woolworth Colton and Charles B. Colton. Written in Spanish. This very large (37" wide x 50.5" long) lithograph folding map is housed in a hardcover, brown publisher's cloth binding. Cover is lettered in gilt with blind debossed ornamentation. Spine is plain. Map is printed on an onion skin vellum, folded four times at the width, and thirteen times at its length. The map itself bears a lovely ornamented boarder in black along top and side edges. Includes scale and latitude and longitudinal coordinates data. When folded within the closed book, dimensions are 8.25" x 5" x 0.5".ABOUT THE CARTOGRAPHERS: George Woolworth Colton (1827-1901) was the son of Joseph H. Colton (1800-1893), one of the more prominent American cartographers in the mid-19th century. The elder Colton headed J. H. Colton and Company and began publishing maps in New York in the 1830s. The firm originally excelled in acquiring copyrights of previously published maps. Included was the map plates of David H. Burr, another prominent American cartographer. The elder Colton's first product was an 1833 reprint of David Burr's 1830 map of New York State, re-engraved by Samuel Stiles. Colton reprinted several other Burr maps, including New York and Ohio, which were reissued for more than two decades. From 1850 to 1887, a major specialty of the Colton firm was the production of pocket railroad maps and guides. The Colton publishing firm was taken over in the middle of the century by Joseph Colton's two sons, George W. Colton and Charles B. Colton. It was 28 year old George Colton who organized and compiled the most popular product of J. H. Colton Company, namely Colton's Atlas of the World, the first volume of which appeared in 1855 and focused on North and South America. (Map History, UCLA) CONDITION: Two small tears toward the center at the two fold corners right below the "M" and the "E" within the "Golfo de Mexico", yet the integrity of the map remains uncompromised. Some occasional foxing as to be expected, with minor crimping at the top right edge, yet in stunning condition for its age. Binding shows general wear and is reinforced by vintage publisher's cloth at the joints and inner hinges. Previous owner's name written in pencil on the front pastedown. Hand painted colors are exquisite. An absolutely lovely, rare copy. The background has been included within the photograph to help give size perspective, as it is stretched out on a long table. Please note that the open book at the left is the actual binding, housing the folded map. As this piece is very large and fragile, we prefer to NOT offer additional photographs, as two people are needed to unfold this very delicate map, and we wish to protect it from any possible damage in the folding process. Requests for additional photographs of the binding are welcomed. This item will be delivered with "adult signature required". Full refund if not satisfied.…