The Idea Man's Map of Texas
David Richardson was a young man full of ideas.
Born in the Isle of Man, he had the idea to come to Texas, and did so in 1848.
By the early 1850s he was working for the Galveston News and considered the top newspaper agent in the state.
Then he had another idea.
Texas needed an almanac which would furnish historical, economic and statistical data about the state. It would provide useful information for those interested in immigrating, and would help natives learn more about their state's history and current condition.
So he announced the project to the world in the pages of the the Galveston News. The only problem was, he hadn't told his boss. The publisher was angry, but it didn't last, because orders were pouring in. In fact, he made David a full partner in the venture.
Richardson's next idea was that the Texas Almanac should contain a Texas map, and it should be the finest available. So he commissioned the best in the business to create exactly that.
What you see here is the result. It's a mighty handsome display of nineteenth century cartographic scientific artistry.
Unfortunately, Richardson had no choice but to have the original copies printed in Philadelphia. There was no firm in Texas at the time capable of doing the job.
Our reproduction is printed right here in the Lone Star State.
Of note in the lower corners: it lists all the railroads that had been constructed on the eve of the Civil War and shows the proposed route of the Aransas Railroad which would have connected the Coastal Bend to the West Coast.
Physical Details
- 30 by 24 inches
- On heavyweight fine-art paper
- Pure Texas
This is a museum quality reproduction.
It is printed on heavyweight acid free fine-art paper with an elegant ever so lightly textured finish. This surface allows the inks to 'bite', reproducing the shading and tonality of the original map vividly, beautifully, and exactly.
The inks are guaranteed color-fast for 80 years, which means you won't need to lay out the extra money for UV glass. You can hang your map in direct sun and it will be just as bright when they are passed on to the next generation it is the day it ships.
It's an instant heirloom. Get yours before they're gone...and get one to give to a friend. He'll owe you!
