Catalog Archive
Auction 132, Lot 76

"America Drawn from the Latest and Best Observations Describing all the European Settlements", Bennett, Richard

Subject: Western Hemisphere

Period: 1759 (dated)

Publication: The Grand Magazine of Universal Intelligence… MDCCLIX

Color: Black & White

Size:
13 x 10.3 inches
33 x 26.2 cm
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This rarity is a very late map to show California as an island. Beautifully engraved, the map gives the location of Indian regions including Apache, Hopi (Moqui), and Navaho. The Great Basin is Parts Unknown and the Pacific Northwest and western Canada is completely blank and without a coastline. The map is bound in the original and complete volume "The Grand Magazine of Universal Intelligence, and Monthly Chronicle of Our Own Times, Vol. II for the Year MDCCLIX”," London: Printed for R. Griffiths, in the Strand, 1759. The volume contains the full twelve monthly issues, January through December, plus supplement, addenda, and index at rear. The article beginning on page 25, "An Account of America, the Largest Quarter of the Terraqueous Globe. With a new and accurate Map…" relates to the Bennett map. Bound in contemporary calf with gilt-lettered red spine label, 5 raised bands, and fancy gilt edging. Thick octavo, engraved frontis, 735 pp. plus 17 page index and 10 engraved views and portrait plates (6 folding), 9 hand-colored engraved natural history plates, and 8 engraved maps (3 folding). The volume is a fascinating compilation of events for the year 1759 including some, of North American interest, such as an article and folding map of the British siege at Quebec titled, "A Map of the Country round Quebec, with the Camps of the English & French, at the Siege thereof." Also includes a folding map of Asia by Bennett and a great full-page engraving of a Delaware Indian in full dress and war paint and "his Tomohawk, Scalping knife, &c." A rare issue, complete and very nice.

References: Jolly GMUI-10; McLaughlin #239.

Condition: A

Light shelf wear with small chip to lower edge of spine label and small piece missing from heel of spine. Binding tight and sound. The book is internally clean and unmarked with only rare instances of foxing. The America map has a short fold split repaired with archival tissue.

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Sold for: $600

Closed on 6/2/2010

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