Ratzer, Bernard

Plan of the City of New York, in North America: Surveyed in the years 1766 & 1767. London: Faden & Jefferys, 1776

Engraved map on 3 joined sheets (totalling 48 3/8 x 36 in.; 1,228 x 916 mm), engraved by T. Kitchin, large inset view at bottom, "A South West View of the City of New York, Taken from the Governours Island," title cartouche with 35 numbered and lettered references to city landmarks, dedication cartouche to Sir Henry Moore; some browning and soiling, a few tiny marginal chips and spots of surface abrasion, neatly dissected into sections and mounted on linen, contemporary with publication; recently removed from the old linen backing, cleaned, and mounted on Japanese tissue.

George D. Atwood, 1745–1807, an English mathematician and chess master (armorial bookplate removed from the original linen backing) — descended in the Atwood family until at least 1948 (various inscriptions preserved from the original linen backing, e.g., "The Gift of G. Atwood to his Nephews")

Deák, Picturing America 121; Stevens-Tree 40b; Stokes 1:341; Streeter sale 2:877

"One of the most beautiful, important, and accurate early plans of New York" (Stokes), complemented by a "deftly executed" panoramic view of New York from Governors Island (Deák). The depiction of Manhattan Island extends to what would today be about Fiftieth Street; a section of "Nassau or Long Island" is shown to the east and part of New Jersey appears to the west. A very good copy of a scarce map; this is just the second complete copy to appear at auction since the Howard Welsh sale in June 1991.