1897 Garcia Cubas and Vega Map of Baja California, Mexico

A rare 1897 color lithograph map of the Baja California by Antonio García Cubas and Vega. A year after this map was made, Baja became the seat of one of several revolutions against the government of Porfirio Díaz. Also around this time, major gold discoveries in the Santa Clara Valley fueled the economy of northern Baja.

A Closer Look

Coverage embraces Baja California from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas, as well as the adjacent Gulf of California. Insets detail the important Bahia de la Magdalena, the Puerto de la Paz, and I. de Guadalupe - this last being something of a mystery as the island is mostly arid and near uninhabited. Roads are noted throughout, although most commerce at the time was maritime. Banks of mother-of-pearl, pearls, and other maritime treasures are noted. Much of the southern peninsula is dominated by orchil production - a rare red dye made from lichen.

Publication History and Census

This map was published in Mexico City in 1897 by Vega y Cie. It was printed by Lit. Montauriol Sucs., Mexico City. The map is based on the 1887 work of Antonio García Cubas. It was updated with additional border work for the 1897 issue of theAtlas Geográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. The atlas is represented in several instructional collections, but extremely scare on the market. The individual maps, likewise, are scarce to the market.