J. De Cordova's Map of the State of Texas

Recommended by Sam Houston as "the most correct and authentic map of Texas ever compiled," this is the first official map of the state of Texas.

It was created by Jacob de Cordova, an enthusiastic land promoter, during the days of the Republic and early statehood. Following the end of the war between the United States and Mexico, de Cordova hoped to profit from the influx of settlers planning to move to the new U.S. state. He commissioned Robert Creuzbaur, an employee of the Texas General Land Office in 1848, to compile this map from that agency’s records. He produced the map to use as a promotional tool to aid his land speculation, and it was included in a book called The State of Texas; Her Capabilities and Her resources. It shows Texas, extending to Wyoming, in its largest configuration before the Compromise of 1850.

The map had many influential supporters and included signatures of four Texas senators and representatives, as well as the commissioner of the General Land Office. One of those signatures belonged to Sam Houston, who recommended the map to “every person who desires correct geographical information of our state. To persons desiring to visit Texas, it will be invaluable.”