Bidspirit auction | Jefferys, pub. 1775 - A

Jefferys, pub. 1775 - A New Map of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island with the Adjacent Parts of New England and Canada (Published June 15, 1775) - About the map: This map is a cartographic milestone of the French & Indian War. It ”proved to be important in evaluating respective French and English claims to this part of North America.” (Ristow) England had gained sole possession of the region by the Treaty of Paris in 1763.About the work: This rare, historic map is Thomas Jefferys's ”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”. The map was published in London in 1775 by R. Sayer and J. Bennett. Robert Sayer and John Bennett were Jefferys's successors and compiled this 1775 edition of ”The American Atlas”. It is considered the most important 18th century atlas of America, showing the colonies at the time of the American Revolution. Ristow noted of the atlas that it was a ”geographical description of the whole continent of America, as portrayed in the best available maps in the latter half of the eighteenth century ... as a major cartographic reference work it was, very likely, consulted by American, English, and French civilian administrators and military officers during the Revolution.” The atlas was of particular note for including Brassier's map of Lake Champlain, Braddock Meade's 'A Map of the Most Inhabited Parts of New England' (largest and most detailed to that date), Samuel Holland's 'The Provinces of New York and New Jersey', William Scull's 'A Map of Pennsylvania' (first to include the western portion), Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson's 'A Map of the Most Inhabited Part of Virginia' (best to date for the Chesapeake Region), Lt. Ross's 'Course of the Mississippi' (first chart of the river based on English sources), and 'A new Map of the Province of Quebec'. Thomas Jefferys (1719-1771) was a leading English cartographer. He produced some of the most significant maps of the English / American colonies and the early American landscape. He was the appointed Geographer to the Prince of Wales and eventually to the King (1761). His official appointments granted him access to some of the very best surveys and were often considered ”official work” for England. Paper Size: Image ~ 18 1/2” by 24” Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving with Original Outline Color