Jefferys, Thomas | The Pierre S. duPont III-Sax copy of the North American Pilot

Jefferys, Thomas

The North American Pilot for Newfoundland, Labradore, the Gulf and River St. Laurence [and] The North-American Pilot for New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia; also the Two Carolinas. London: Printed and sold by R. Sayer and J. Bennett, 1783, 1784

2 volumes, folio (546 x 387 mm). Letterpress titles, dedication and index in volume 1, 35 engraved charts (12 folding, 16 double-page, and 7 single-page), all mounted on guards and numbered on versos; substantial restoration to the title-page of volume 2 with letters retouched by hand, occasional small repairs and closed tears at edges and folds, occasional remargining, charts 1 and 14 shaved, a few minor creases, mild soiling and offsetting. Contemporary russia remboîtage, gilt with broad flower tool and Greek key frame; rubbed, joints weak, loss at heads and tails of spines, some scuffing.

A very attractive copy of The North American Pilot.

Using the surveys of Captain James Cook (see lot 13) and others, Jefferys began this highly important atlas of sea-charts of America in 1768. The first edition of the North American Pilot followed in 1775 and was subsequently re-issued several times. The finely engraved and accurate charts also include numerous inset charts and maps of sea-side cities and towns. The sea-atlas contains a very good and early chart of the Gulf Stream based on the observations of Benjamin Franklin.

Exceedingly rare: We can trace only one other copy of the first volume, and no other copies of the second volume, appearing at auction since the present copy last sold at Sotheby's in 1998.

REFERENCE:

Sabin 5557; cf. Phillips 1209 (1777 ed.)

PROVENANCE:

Pierre S. duPont III (his sale, Christie's New York, 8 October 1991, lot 190) — Stanley Paul Sax (his sale, Sotheby's New York, 16 January 1998, lot 179)