Jefferys, Thomas.

Estimate

45,000 - 65,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

The American Atlas; or a Geographical Description of the Whole Continent of America; Wherein are Delineated at Large its Several Regions, Countries, States and Islands; and Chiefly the British Colonies engraved on forty-eight copper-plates. London: Printed and Sold by R. Sayer and J. Bennett, 1775
paper

First edition, folio (555 x 405mm.), letterpress title, index and 22 engraved maps (numbered in the index 1-29) on 48 mapsheets, contemporary outline colour, contemporary half calf, staining or moulding to lower edge restored or repaired affecting some maps, moreso maps 7 and 8 (the Gulf of St Laurence) and slight loss of engraved surface of maps 15, 16 and 17 (Pennsylvania, Virginia and Carolina), rebacked and recornered

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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."

Catalogue Note

The onset of the American War of Independence revitalised interest in the mapping of Britain's American colonies; Jefferys’s American Atlas as it is conveniently named is mostly assembled by Sayer and Bennett from maps prepared by Jefferys at the time of the French and Indian Wars, and with Faden's North American Atlases was one of the two most important terrestrial atlases in use during the Revolutionary War.

This example is an early printing of the first edition, with all the maps datable to September 1775 (South America) or earlier, particularly Holland’s Provinces of New York and New Jersey dated June 1775 (it was to be revised in December 1775) and Mouzon’s Carolinas, later revised following the unsuccessful attack on Fort Sulivan in 1776. Most extant examples with the 1775 title-page are found with these maps revised, reflecting the evolution of the atlas in wartime.

For Sayer and Bennett's "holster atlas" see lot 76.