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Mary Austin Holley. Texas....
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Description
"The first book in English entirely on Texas"-- Streeter
Mary Austin Holley. Texas. Observations,
Historical, Geographical and Descriptive, in a Series of
Letters. Baltimore: Armstrong & Plaskitt, 1833.FIRST EDITION. 8vo. viii, 410 pages. Engraved folding frontispiece map "Map of the State of Coahuila and Texas" by W. Hooker. Original deep rose muslin, gilt-lettered within floral panel on upper cover. Housed in a modern quarter morocco clamshell case.
Mary Austin Holley (1784-1846) was Stephen Austin's first cousin. After her husband died in the late 1820s, Holley spent much of her time in Texas, where she actively promoted Texas independence. She dedicated the book (in 1831) to Stephen Austin, who assisted in the writing: "You have endured more hardships, and made greater sacrifices, than often falls to the lot of man to encounter." In her book, Mrs. Holley gives a detailed description of the land, resources, inhabitants, and existing settlements in Texas, and expresses satisfaction that slavery is prohibited under the present laws. In the extensive appendix, she offers much practical advice to those, like herself, who are considering emigration. She notes: "Texas, until the last few years, has been, literally, a terra incognita. It is uncertain how long this extensive and valuable country would have remained unknown and unsettled, had not the bold enterprise and perseverance of the Austin's, torn away the veil that hid it from the world, and redeemed it from the wilderness, by the settlement of a flourishing colony. With this settlement, a new era has dawned upon Texas."
Streeter notes "some copies have not copyright notice, in some a copyright notice of Armstrong & Plaskitt, dated 1833, appears on a slip pasted on the verso of the title, and in still others that notice is printed on the verso of the title." In the present the copyright notice is printed on a slip tipped-in at the foot of the dedication leaf. Hooker's detailed map is in Streeter's second state with "Beales and Rayuelles Grant" at top left, Milam's Grant labeled "Beales Grant" and Hooker's name added beneath the title. It is one of the earliest maps of Texas to show all of Texas to the Arkansas River, including the Panhandle (see Streeter 1136).
Condition: Spine faded to tan, both covers with a few old stains, lower cover a little dampstained and blistered, gilt a little rubbed on upper cover. Some moderate foxing or spotting to text, minor pale dampstaining in some lower margins towards end. Overall very good in original binding, map fine and fresh.
References: Basic Texas Books 93B; Graff 1934; Howes H-593 ("b"); Martin & Martin, p. 32; Rader 1912; Sabin 32528; Streeter 1135 ("The first book in English entirely on Texas. For a long time, I have regarded it as one of the Texas classics"); Taliaferro 241 ("Hooker's map is one of the earliest maps of Texas to show all of Texas to the Arkansas River, including the Panhandle"); Vandale 87.
Auction Info
2023 December 2 The Ted Lusher Texas History Collection, Part One Signature® Auction #6281 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2023
2nd
Saturday
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