Jefferys, Thomas | "One of the most authoritative and comprehensive atlases of America"

Jefferys, Thomas

The American Atlas; or, A Geographical Description of the Whole Continent of America. London: Printed and Sold by R. Sayer and J. Bennett, 1776

Folio (546 x 419 mm). 23 maps on 30 sheets (all folding or double-page except one single-page) by Henry Mouzon, William Scull, Lewis Evans, and others, handcolored in outline, letterpress title and index, map sheets numbered on versos with several misnumbered, maps hinged on guards; light browning and faint offsetting affecting six maps (The Banks of Newfoundland, no. 13; Lake Champlain, no. 18; Virginia and Maryland, no. 21; Florida, no. 25; Mississippi, no. 26; and South America, no. 29, minor dampstaining on bottom margins of title, index, and first 7 maps. Contemporary speckled calf; rebacked, endpapers renewed, but generally a handsome copy.

"One of the most authoritative and comprehensive atlases of America" (Ristow).

After the British victory in the Seven Years War, scientific surveys were undertaken that explored and mapped the interiors of the land east of the Mississippi River. The resulting maps, published separately by Jefferys as Geographer to the Prince of Wales (and subsequently to the King), were generally the best available for their respective regions. This atlas was published by Jefferys' successors Robert Sayer and John Bennett, and it provides a comprehensive record of the thirteen colonies during the Revolutionary War era and includes extensive reconnaissance mapping of French Canada, including Newfoundland. "As a major cartographic reference work it was, very likely, consulted by American, English, and French civilian administrators and military officers during the Revolution" (Ristow).

REFERENCE:

Howes J-81; Phillips, cf. 1166, 1165; William Ristow, "Bibliographical Note," in American Atlas [facsimile of 1776 edition], 1973; Sabin 35953, note

PROVENANCE:

Ingilby (contemporary ownership inscription on title-page) — Dillon/Dunwalke Library (bookplate and shelfmark) — Sotheby's New York, 15 June 2006, lot 204 (undesignated consignor)