The First Official Map of Texas - 1849

The First Official Map of Texas When a copy of Jacob De Cordova's 1849 map of Texas was put on the auction block in 2015, bidding closed at $149,000.There are a number of reasons for the giant price. First and foremost is its rarity. The number of known copies can be counted on a single hand with no need for the thumb.  And only one had been offered for sale in the previous fifty years.Then there is its importance. It was the first official map of Texas, having received the blessings of the governor and land commissioner. Not only that, it had the endorsement of Senators Rusk and Houston, plus a testimonial from Texas Ranger Captain Jack Hays (who was also a surveyor and knew a thing of two about making maps.) The man responsible for the map is as interesting as the map itself.It could even be said that Jacob De Cordova was the best cheerleader Texas ever had. He was Jewish, born in Jamaica, and schooled in England. In 1834 he returned to Jamaica and founded the Kingston Daily Gleaner,