Melish, John

Engraved wall map (56 5/8 x 43 5/8 in.;  1437 x 1108 mm), mounted on linen, edged in green silk, full contemporary handcoloring, engraved by J. Vallance & H. S. Tanner, engraved title vignette of the federal eagle, inset map of the West Indies, inset statistical table. 

Handsomely framed and glazed with UVIII Plexiglass. Browned, some tears, chipping, and restoration with minor loss, chiefly marginal.

Martin-Ristow in A la Carte 24; Ristow, pp. 187–188; Rumsey 10044; Streeter 3812 (posthumous 1823 issue)

Engraved wall map (56 5/8 x 43 5/8 in.; 1437 x 1108 mm), mounted on linen, edged in green silk, full contemporary handcoloring, engraved by J. Vallance & H. S. Tanner, engraved title vignette of the federal eagle, inset map of the West Indies, inset statistical table. Handsomely framed and glazed with UVIII Plexiglass. Browned, some tears, chipping, and restoration with minor loss, chiefly marginal.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

THE FINAL EDITION OF MELISH'S FAMOUS MAP OF THE UNITED STATES UPDATED BY HIM AND PUBLISHED IN HIS LIFETIME. This is the second state of the 1822 edition, with the addition of designations "New Albion," "New California," and Internal Provinces," and "Mexico"; it includes as well the three additional sheets first added at the bottom of the map in 1820 that expand the coverage of Mexico and the West Indies. This edition incorporates many revisions to the Great Plains region based on Stephen H. Long's expedition to the Rocky Mountains. John Melish (1771–1822) was the first publisher in the United States to specialize in geographical and cartographic works. First published in 1816, this was the first American-produced wall map depicting the country from coast to coast. Melish frequently revised and corrected the plates. He published new editions in 1818, 1819, 1820, and 1822, which comprise some twenty-four different issues and states. Notwithstanding the many issues, the map has become extremely rare, and the present last-lifetime edition appears to the scarcest of all in the trade.