Beschreibung:

Title: Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish Possessions Compiled from the latest & best Authorities Author: Melish, John Place: Philadelphia Publisher: Date: 1818 Description: Engraved map, hand-colored in outline. 88.5x144 cm (34¾x56¾"), backed with linen & sectioned for folding into marbled boards folder rebacked with leather, 24.5x16.5 cm (9¾x6½"). John Melish's landmark map of the United States, being the first large scale detailed map made in the U.S. that showed the entire country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The map was of seminal influence, with early indications of the discoveries of Lewis and Clark. Rumsey states that "Martin and Ristow identify seven states of the 1816 edition. Melish published new editions in 1818 (five states), 1819 (two states), 1820 (eight states), 1822 (two states), and 1823 (one state) for a total of twenty five different issues. Notwithstanding the many issues, the map has become extremely rare." Heckrotte notes this as the second 1818 state, "Improved to the 1st of January 1818," and relates that "This is the Wrather copy (according to W. Howell) noted by Ristow in his study of the Melish map of the United States. One of the 1818 states was used in the United States - Spanish negotiations to settle the boundary between U.S. and Spanish possessions in the west." Provenance: John Howell-Books, 12/72 References: W-TW 322. Ristow, John Melish and His Map of the United States, in A la Carte, pp 162 - 182 ( Rep earlier state ). Martin & Martin, Plate 26 ( Rep earlier state ). Lot Amendments Condition: Minor wear to the nicely rebacked folder; maps with a bit of light soiling, a few spots, a little darkened along horizontal central fold; split six inches along one fold; very good. Item number: 267351