1846 Victor Levasseur Map of North America – Texas as an Independent Republic

When Texas was a country ⭐

An extraordinary mid-19th-century map of North America, published in Paris around 1845–46 by A. Combette and finely engraved by Laguillermie, with original hand colouring.

At its centre is Victor Levasseur’s Amérique Septentrionale, framed by an elaborate pictorial border designed by Raymond Bonheur. Mountains, waterfalls, forests and tropical vegetation surround the map, alongside allegorical figures and scenes depicting the continent’s people, wildlife and resources.

A remarkable historical detail

Texas is shown separately, with its own bold outline and a population figure of 200,000, compared with 19,000,000 for the United States. This reflects a fascinating moment in history: the Republic of Texas existed as an independent country from 1836 until its annexation by the United States in 1845.

The artist and engraving

The decorative vignettes are attributed to Raymond Bonheur, father and first teacher of the celebrated painter Rosa Bonheur. The map was published in Paris by A. Combette and engraved by Laguillermie.

Details

• Cartographer: Victor Levasseur
• Title: Amérique Septentrionale
• Date: circa 1845–46
• Publisher: A. Combet te, Paris
• Engraver: Laguillermie
• Technique: Hand-coloured steel engraving
• Map dimensions: approximately 290 × 430 mm
• Presentation: Framed and glazed
• Documentation: Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from a specialist Spanish print gallery confirming the Levasseur/Combet te, 1846 attribution

A striking piece of historical cartography, particularly appealing to collectors of Americana, Texas history and antique maps.

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