Johnson’s Mexico Map with Tehuantepec Inset, USA c.1864 – Hand-Colored
This is a finely engraved and hand-colored map titled Johnson’s Mexico, published by Johnson and Ward in New York circa 1864. It depicts Mexico in detail with political divisions, states shaded in pastel pink and green, and clear topographical features including mountains, rivers, and cities. Major cities such as Mexico City, Veracruz, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Acapulco are marked, along with regional towns and transport routes.
The map includes an inset at the lower left titled “Vera Cruz and Tehuantepec Railway,” showing a detailed railway route across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, an area of significant strategic interest in the mid-19th century as a proposed transit route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans before the Panama Canal was built.
This map is surrounded by Johnson’s distinctive decorative border with interlaced geometric and floral motifs, enhancing its decorative appeal. Johnson and Ward were leading American atlas publishers during this period, known for combining accurate cartographic information with attractive presentation. Their Mexico maps are valued for documenting political boundaries shortly after the Mexican-American War (1846-48) and during the era of French intervention in Mexico under Emperor Maximilian I (1864-67).
Condition report:
Good condition. Strong impression with bright original hand coloring. Light general age toning and a few minor spots or handling marks in margins, typical for antique atlas maps. No tears or repairs visible. Wide margins and plate mark intact.
Framing suggestion:
Frame with a simple dark wood or black frame and an archival off-white mat to emphasize the pastel coloring and decorative border. Use UV-protective glass to preserve color vibrancy and paper quality.
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