Catalog Archive
Auction 165, Lot 760

Scarce Finley Atlas Only Published in One Edition

"A New American Atlas, Designed Principally to Illustrate the Geography of the United States of North America...", Finley, Anthony

Subject: Atlases

Period: 1826 (published)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13.5 x 19.4 inches
34.3 x 49.3 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Finely's maps employ a delicate and elegant engraving style and provided extensive topographical and watershed information. He was the dominant map maker in the United States in the early 1820s into the 1830s. His atlases were very successful, outselling rival atlases by Carey & Lea, and Tanner. His maps were printed on high quality paper and were routinely corrected and updated.

Finley, who is best known for his A New General Atlas, first published in 1824, with seven editions through 1834, published only one edition of his A New American Atlas. The American Atlas focused on the United States, with one map of the Caribbean, one map of South America, and a comparative mountain chart. The maps were drawn by D. H. Vance and engraved by J. H. Young. Of particular interest were the maps showing the western territories.

The map of Missouri shows the massive Arkansas Territory, taking up most of what will become Oklahoma and the Red River, as the boundary with Mexico. There are ten counties organized in the eastern section of Arkansas and 28 in Missouri. Many native tribes and villages are noted, as well as the locations of salt works, Military Bounty Lands, Missionary Stations, and a few roads. A table to the right describes the results of the census of 1820, noting populations of black and white settlers, as well as non-naturalized immigrants, and those engaged in manufacturing (179), commerce (77) and agriculture (3613).

The map of the upper Midwest shows the new states of Illinois (1818), Indiana (1816), and Ohio (1803). The early Michigan Territory, (Michigan does not become a state until 1837), has only ten counties organized in the east. The Northwest Territory occupies what will become Wisconsin, and the Missouri Territory fills the land west of the Mississippi. The map notes major towns and roads, and a table at the lower right indicates populations, divided by gender and race.

The map of the United States extends to include all of Texas, which is still part of Mexico. Arkansas Territory is shown encompassing most of Oklahoma, and Northwest Territory encompasses Wisconsin and most of Minnesota. The entire region to the west is labeled Missouri Territory and extends to about today's New Mexico and Montana at about 108° West longitude, the full westward extent of the map. The full list of maps is as follows:

A. Map of North America Including all the Recent Geographical Discoveries. Condition: Light toning along the centerfold with a 3" centerfold separation at left and a 1/2" separation at right.
B. Map of the United States Constructed from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 2" centerfold separation at bottom and a 1/2" separation at top.
C. Map of Maine New Hampshire and Vermont, Compiled from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 2" centerfold separation at bottom.
D. Map of Massachusetts Connecticut and Rhode Island Constructed from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 3" centerfold separation at bottom and a 4" separation at top with an abrasion along the centerfold at top.
E. Map of the State of New York. Condition: A 7" centerfold separation at bottom.
F. Map of Pennsylvania New Jersey and Delaware Constructed from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 1.5" centerfold separation at bottom.
G. Map of Virginia and Maryland Constructed from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 1/2" centerfold separation at top.
H. Map of North and South Carolina and Georgia, Constructed from the Latest Authorities. Condition: Map is considered perished, with only the western half of the map remaining.
I. Map of Louisiana Mississippi and Alabama Constructed from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 3" centerfold separation at bottom.
J. Map of Kentucky and Tennessee Compiled from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 4" centerfold separation at bottom.
K. Map of the States of Ohio Indiana & Illinois and Part of Michigan Territory Compiled from the Latest Authorities. Condition: A 3.5" centerfold separation at bottom and a 1/2" tear at top adjacent to the centerfold.
L. Map of the State of Missouri and Territory of Arkansas Compiled from the Latest Authorities. Condition:
M. Map of Florida According to the Latest Authorities. Condition: Very good with only minor offsetting and toning.
N. The West Indies from the Best Authorities. Condition: Very good with only light offsetting and minor soiling.
O. Map of South America According to the Latest and Best Authorities. Condition: Poor with very heavy toning and a 1" centerfold separation at left.

Large folio, partially disbound, Original red quarter leather with tips over marbled paper covered boards with a red leather title label on front cover.

References: Phillips (Atlases) #1378; Ristow, p. 270.

Condition: B

All the maps are in full original color with light to heavy offsetting. See above for additional details on specific condition issues for each map. The front cover, front free-endpaper, title page, and list of maps are all detached. The spine is perished and the covers are heavily worn, abraded, and bumped. Previous owner's name and date in manuscript ink on front free-endpaper: "Robert B. Haviland Augusta 1827."

Estimate: $2,400 - $3,000

Sold for: $1,800

Closed on 11/15/2017

Archived