Smith, John. The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles...London: 1627

SMITH, JOHN, CAPTAIN

THE GENERALL HISTORIE OF VIRGINIA, NEW-ENGLAND, AND THE SUMMER ISLES: WITH THE NAMES OF THE ADVENTURERS, PLANTERS, AND GOVERNOURS FROM THEIR FIRST BEGINNING ANO: 1584 TO THIS PRESENT 1626. LONDON: J. D.[AWSON] AND I. H.[AVILAND] FOR MICHAEL SPARKES, 1627

Folio (11 x 7 1/4 in.; 280 x 185 mm). Engraved title-page (Sabin's third state, with 1627 date), engraved folding plate with map of Ould Virginia (Sabin's fourth state), folding engraved map of Virginia (Sabin's tenth state), engraved folding plate with map of the Summer Isles (Sabin's third state), and folding engraved map of New England (Sabin's eighth state); title lightly soiled, small flaw to A3 affecting marginal numerals, occasional light staining, maps expertly mounted repairing a few old tears and silked on verso. 17th-century English blind-tooled calf, red morocco lettering-piece, edges speckled red; repairs to spine ends and corners, joints weak but holding, endpapers renewed. Red quarter morocco slipcase and folding chemise.

First edition, third issue, of this seminal work, from the library of the Calverts, the original Proprietors and colonial governors of Maryland

First published in 1624, The Generall Historie is regarded as one of the foundation sources for the English settlements in America and Bermuda. It was partly compiled from Smith's four earlier reports on the Virginia and New England colonies, of which all are very rare. The Generall Historie of Virginia contains Smith’s eyewitness account of the founding of Jamestown, his capture and rescue through the intercession of Pocahontas, his observations during his time spent in Virginia (1606-1609), and his explorations of the New England coast (1610-1617). 

"[T]he foundation of England’s knowledge of America during the early period of colonization” (PMM)

The present copy once formed a part of the library of the Calvert family, the original Proprietors of Maryland. It bears the bookplate of Benedict Leonard Calvert, restored Proprietary Governor of Maryland, and son of Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Lord Baltimore. This copy may descend from George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore, who sailed from Newfoundland to Virginia in 1629. His son Cecil Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore, was granted the charter for Maryland by Charles I in 1632. In 1715, the Crown restored proprietary rights to Benedict Leonard Calvert, 4th Lord Baltimore. His son Benedict Leonard Calvert was named governor of Maryland by his brother, the 5th Lord Baltimore. 

LITERATURE:

Alden & Landis 627/107; Burden, The Mapping of North America 164, 187, 212, 213; Church 411; Cumming & De Vorsey 32; JCB II, p. 189; PMM 124; Sabin 82827; STC 22790c; Vail 68

PROVENANCE:

Benedict Leonard Calvert (bookplate to front pastedown reading: “The Honble Benedict Leonard Calvert Esqri. 2d son to the Rt. Honble. Ben. Leo. Lord Baltemore [sic] Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Provinces of Maryland & Avalon in America”) — Sotheby’s London, 28 June 1985, lot 358 — Jay Snider (bookplate to chemise; his sale, Christie’s New York, 21 June 2005, lot 1)