North America--Raynal, Guillaume Thomas François, abbé

Folio (425 x 290mm.), engraved vignettes on title and dedication leaf, engraved initial letter on dedication leaf, vignettes at end of text, text printed in double-columns divided by a typographic border, at end 6pp. "Catalogo dei Signori Associati ascritti alle carte geografiche", 15 double-page engraved maps by Antonio Zatta, contemporary hand colour, contemporary vellum-backed boards, hinges weak, spine worn

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An Italian edition of l'Abbé Raynal's history of the European colonies in the Indies and America. This volume is devoted to a history of the Americas, by region, with political and economic reflections, and a continuation of the history to 1778, following the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.  

The importance of this scarce volume lies in the suite of maps it contains. Three of them are a general map of Eastern North America, also dated 1778, but referring to '... le Colonie Inglesi ...' and maps of Cape Breton and Hudson's Bay.

Twelve of the map-sheets, if joined, form a wall-map of the British Colonies based on the map first published by John Mitchell and re-issued at the start of the Revolutionary War. Within the map, Zatta has inserted a few notes referring to events from the war.

What is particularly interesting about Zatta's version, which is dated 1778, is that he refers to the American Colonies as 'Le Colonie Unite dell'America Settentrle. ...' which makes this the earliest published map of the entire thirteen colonies to use a version of the name 'United States', while this volume can be perceived as the first published atlas of the United States, as it was to become.