Large important map of California, now in its new incarnation as a state of the Union shortly after its acquisition by the United States from Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

Geographically, although the map is called “Nuova California” or New California, it also encompasses modern Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The Gila River and the Rocky Mountains form the natural borders on the south and east respectively while the northern border with Oregon is along the 42nd parallel.

The information on the map is based mainly on an earlier French map issued in 1850 by Hypolite Ferry. Indeed, the maps are so similar, that despite some obvious differences, Marzolla’s map is often called the Italian edition of Ferry’s map. This 1850 map is itself based on Eugene Duflot du Mofras’s map of California and the west coast published in 1844. Du Mofras was a French diplomat based in Mexico who travelled widely throughout the western region in 1840-2 and was either an erudite traveller or a spy depending on your point view. He did come to the prescient conclusion that due to its “chaotic governance” at this time California was particularly vulnerable to acquisition by a foreign power. As he put it in his own words in 1840….” It is evident that California will belong to whatever nation chooses to send there a man-o-war and two hundred men.”

Although these were the two main sources for Marzolla’s map, he also integrates information by John Charles Fremont and explorer and politician. The main difference between Ferry’s and Marzolla’s maps is the latter’s addition of multiple notes both within the face and around the borders. The text details the natural history, resources, exploration, population statistics and topography of mid 19th century California. Marzolla also shows the gold region around San Francisco although its extent has been exaggerated, as well as adding a small inset map of the area around San Franciso in the lower left.

Together, the three maps mentioned above form a tryptic of the most accurate geographical information available to the European market during the California Gold Rush.

Original colour. [USA9567]