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First edition. 16mo. Original printed wrappers, 104 [1] pp. plus color folding map, to the reader, advertisements, illustrated, index. A rare promotional booklet providing a favorable description of Reconstruction-era Texas, designed to entice immigration. The work was published by William Brady, a real estate broker in Houston in the mid-19th century. In his note to the reader, Brady writes of the homegrown nature of the production of the pamphlet: "The constant demand for information relative to the soil, climate, products, price of lands, etc., in Texas, has prompted the preparation of this book. Especially have these inquiries been directed to the condition of things near Houston, the great Railroad Centre . Care and attention have been devoted to its subject matter and arrangements, and we are indebted to several friends in Houston for assistance in the preparation of the material. We have aimed at facts, and not at fancy, and labored to produce a book that will not be without interest to the people of our State, while it will furnish in a condensed form information of a desirable character to such as may contemplate making their future home in Texas." Brady includes sections on the welcoming nature of the state to immigrants, the health of the cattle industry and other commerce in Texas, the advantages of farming and the quality of land by region, the agricultural products produced through land cultivation, the favorable state of the "present and prospective" railroads, the future of the lumber market, the fine "Society in Texas," and a "detailed description of Houston that comprises eleven pages of the text plus another six pages on Harris County, where Houston is located." It even recaps the first annual State Fair of Texas which had taken place the previous year, not in Dallas or Austin, but in Houston. The promotional text is followed by eight pages listing available land for sale by William Brady, who obviously took the opportunity to promote himself along with Houston and Texas. The final twenty pages are composed of advertisements for local businesses, constituting an early business directory for Houston, with a handful of Galveston companies also placing advertisements. Among the businesses promoting their services here are printer E. H. Cushing, banker T. W. House, the Houston Direct Navigation Company, the Houston & Texas Central Railway, the Houston Cotton Press Company, and both Houston newspapers -- the TELEGRAPH and the TIMES. The hand-colored lithographic folding map shows all of Texas, with two inserts of the United States at large and the city of Houston. It was executed by hometown printer and advertiser in the present work, E. H. CUSHING. Howes says: "Worth-while immigration booklet." Graff says: "Devoted to the enticement of immigrants." 3" split to one fold at top of map. Small errata slip pasted to inside front cover, text uniformly tanned, vertical split along front wrapper neatly repaired by a master paper conservator, light wear to the fore-edge and corners, else a very good copy. Housed in an imitation leather clamshell case with titles stamped in gilt on the front cover and spine.
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