TEXAS: HER RESOURCES AND HER PUBLIC MEN. A COMPANION FOR J. DE CORDOVA’S NEW AND CORRECT MAP OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. 375 pp. Index. Advertisements. Charts. Original embossed cloth with the title in gilt on the spine. First edition. Externally, skillfully rebacked, else very good. Internally, the pages are moderately to heavily foxed. Overall, a good+ copy. Jenkins, BTB 38A: “The first attempt at an encyclopedia of Texas, this work contains a wealth of still-useful material…De Cordova did some of the first genuine scholarly research ever done in Texas while compiling the book, interviewing leading men, researching newspaper files, searching county court records, and striving for pinpoint accuracy.” Raines, Bibliography of Texas p. 65: “A fine Texas cyclopedia at the time.” Issued concurrently with the revised edition of his 1849 map of Texas, it contains a wealth of information for anyone interesting in immigrating to Texas. There is material on climate, land laws, railroads, the cotton industry, lumber industry, sheep and cattle raising, farming and a host of other subjects. Includes biographical sketches of prominent Texans, an article on each county and lists all the post offices and forts in the state. A very important book for its information on 19th century Texas.