* JEFFERYS, Thomas (ca 1719-1771). The American Atlas: or, a geographical description of the whole continent of America. London R. Sayer and J. Bennett, 1776.

Folio (562 x 411 mm). Letterpress Index leaf (listing 30 maps), 23 maps on 30 sheets (most double-page or folding), hand-colored in outline, all mounted on guards. (Several maps, including the Bowen map of North America [5-6], Mouzon's map of North and South Carolina [22-23] and Holland's map of New York and New Jersey [17], with right margins darkened & frayed with minor loss; some other minor marginal chipping or wear; some sheets darkened and frayed slightly at margin edges; occasional light soiling, discoloration or breaks at folds.) Contemporary half calf (worn, covers detached).

The American Atlas has several editions dated 1776. This copy with the second title-page mentioning 49 plates and with Holland's name listed as a major, and the letterpress index listing 30 maps (the first index lists 29 maps). There are various combinations of maps included in the several 1776 editions which were made up. Each map has an ink-numbered stamp on the upper righthand verso. Bowen & Gibson's "An Accurate Map of North America," numbered 5-6, is an earlier issue, with imprint dated July 2, 1775 (Stevens & Tree 49d). Map 8, British North America, was originally dated 1775 and was revised here to Aug. 17, 1776. The New York and New Jersey map; map 17, was likewise originally dated 1775 and now revised to Aug. 17, 1776 (when its number was changed from 18 to 17). This copy might be an earlier issue with Carver's map of the province of Quebec here numbered 18, prior to it change to number 19 when the Champlain map was added. (This copy includes the map of Lake Champlain in its first state, loosely inserted.) Scull's map of Pennsylvania was previously number 17, but is here number 19. The present edition includes A new Map of the Province of Quebec in place of Jefferys' map of the Middle British Colonies.

Provenance: Sir John Halkett of Pitfirrane, 4th Bart (1720-1793); (signature on title-page and Pitfirrane bookplate).