* MELISH, John (1771-1822). Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish Possessions. Philadelphia: John Melish, 1816.

Engraved folding map by J. Vallance and H.S. Tanner, overall 904 x 1474 mm, hand-colored in outline, dissected in 40 sections and mounted on linen, brown selvage, marbled paper outer panels. (Some light overall browning, a few splits to linen, lightly dampstained.) Red roan-backed marbled boards, cream silk ties (spine broken, some light wear).

THE FIRST AMERICAN-PRODUCED WALL MAP DEPICTING THE COUNTRY FROM COAST TO COAST WITH ACCOMPANYING TEXT VOLUME IN A UNIFORM BINDING

FIRST EDITION, third state, adding "Mansfield" and "Wooster" in Ohio, and with "Vevay or" inserted before "Swiss Vineyards" in southeastern Indiana. "An exquisite map, it distinguished Melish as the leading American map publisher of the second decade and placed American map publisher of the second decade and placed American maps on equal footing with those produced by the prestigious firms in London and Paris. Incorporating data from state and military maps as these became available, Melish frequently revised and corrected the plates, limiting each printing to 100 copies" (Schwartz & Ehrenberg, The Mapping of America, p.238). Ristow John Melish and His Map of the United States, p.169; Streeter VI:3798.

[With:] MELISH, John A. A Geographical Description of the United States, with the Contiguous British and Spanish Possessions, intended as an Accompaniment to Melish's Map of these Countries. Philadelphia: by the Author, 1816. 8vo (209 x 129 mm). Errata slip tipped in, 5 engraved maps, one folding with hand-coloring. (Pale dampstain to a few leaves, some scant spotting.) Contemporary red roan-backed marbled boards, smooth spine gilt (some light wear). FIRST EDITION. Howes M-490; Sabin 47431.

Provenance: Acquired from Francis Edwards Ltd., 1955.