ILLUSTRATED LETTERSHEET. Hotel at Matagorda, Texas;
Hamburg: Ed. Lang, (n. d.). Ca early 1860s. Single sheet, lined horizontally, unused. 7 b/w wood-engraved images at top, 6 captioned; the entire "Drawn from nature by Helmuth Holtz". The 6 views of Matagorda township including; the church, Masonic Hall, the hotel, courthouse, residence of Col. R.H. Williams, and the country store of G. Burkhart. The 7th image a stylized eagle at the top of the sheet. 10-1/8" x 8". Now housed in a clear archival mylar sleeve. Age-toning. Lacking tip of upper right corner. Old paper repairs, on verso, to edges. Overall, Very Good. Item #52230
Holtz was a German-born artist, sailor, and Union soldier whose work blends maritime illustration with detailed topographical and military cartography. In 1860, Holtz visited the Texas ports of Indianola and Matagorda aboard the barque Texana. From the bay, he sketched views of both towns and the Matagorda hotel. These drawings were sent to Hamburg, where they were lithographed by Eduard Lang and reproduced as illustrated lettersheets. Here offered is one such lettersheet.
Matagorda was named by early Spanish settlers after the dense foliage which grew near the coast. The name means "fat thicket" in Spanish.
Matagorda is the third-oldest Anglo-American town in Texas. It was established in 1827 when Stephen F. Austin obtained permission from the Mexican government to build a town to protect incoming settlers. Elias R. Wightman, one of Stephen F. Austin's early surveyors, traveled to Matagorda in 1829 with 60 immigrant settlers. On August 1, 1829, Wightman, Hosea H. League, James E. B. Austin, and partners Thomas M. Duke and William Selkirk met and elected town officers. In 1830, Matagorda was incorporated.
In 1837, Matagorda served as the county seat of Matagorda County. After the Texas Revolution, the town became a shipping port and social center. Theaters and hotels were in operation by 1838."
Price: $245.00