Berry, William

Large folio (610 x 505mm.), 33 engraved maps (all but one double-page), 8 full-page gazetteers, re-guarded, contemporary calf, first few maps strengthened at outer and lower edges, a few maps split at folds, binding rebacked

cf. Shirley. British Library T.Berr-1a; Worms and Baynton-Williams, British Map Engravers (regarding the various publishers)

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."

Rare English world atlas, which has earned Berry the name "the English Sanson". The atlas is based around derivatives of 32 maps from Jaillot's Atlas nouveau, published in Paris in 1674, and supplemented with a new road map of England.

Originally issued in sheets as each one was completed, and thus variously dated and dedicated either to Charles II or James II, they were assembled in atlas form, circa 1690. The maps in this example date from 1680 (the world and continents) to 1689, the date found on Berry's map "Circle and Electorat of the Rhine" (map 22), which in the lower border lists the thirty-three maps, including England, prepared to date.

Eight of the maps (the world and five continents, Spain and Italy) are accompanied by full-page engraved gazetteers dated 1680 or 1681 - the Italian sheet is undated but presumably 1682, the date on the map, or 1683, when the map was advertised in the Term Catalogues.

The map of North America is known in two states (the first unrecorded in Burden, entry 532, hence the confusion in his entry and his misdating), here in the second state with the province of Pennsylvania inserted, but also includes other additional information not found on the French prototype relating to the nascent English colonies of the eastern seaboard.

It is the most significant English world atlas of the period, but its principal influence was to encourage contemporary English mapmakers, including Berry, Seller, Morden and Lea, and the later generation - including Senex, Price and Willdey, to redouble their efforts to break free from the shackles of French cartography (See lots 60 and 61 for Willdey and Senex atlases).