Rare books from The Prime Meridian: Antique Maps & Books

Paris: Maradan, 1789. Small 4to (10 inches); first French edition (there was a smaller and later 8vo. edition in 2 volumes). Contemporary vellum spine separated at front edge (boards attached and binding sound), with somewhat later boards and endpapers, with red gilt-lettered label intact though a bit scuffed and slightly chipped at the right lower edge. Boards a bit scuffed at edges; binding tight, interior very good or better with all 22 engraved plates (numbered 1-21, plus the large folding frontis map (color coded for voyage routes and titled "Carte des Voyages du King George et de la Reine Charlotte...). This is 499 pp, including appendix I, plus appendix II of 46pp, followed by the 2 pp Approbation. One of the plates is of a Native American, plus there are several maps and views, along with the later engravings of several birds (very attractive). This is an increasingly uncommon and very nice copy of this detailed explorations of the Pacific Northwest and Queen Charlotte Islands, with all… Read More

Paris (Rue des Augustins): le Rouge , 1760. Contemporary marbled cloth boards, rebacked with banded leather spine and gilt-lettering. All 89 plates, including American ports (Quebec, Louisbourg, Nouvelle orleans, Fort Dauphin, Cayenne, Ville Marie), plus Table (index) at rear. These are b&w (as issued) copperplate engravings, on laid paper, all in very good or better condition. Le Rouge was trained as a military engineer, but did quite a number of cartographic works, often with a military slant, between 1740-1780 (see Moreland & Bannister, ANTIQUE MAPS). Listed as Phillips' entry 2975. A rather uncommon small atlas. Neat owners signatures.. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Dordrecht: Keur, 1748. Very good double hemisphere world map from a Keur bible, b&w as issued. The engraver/designer for this map was J. v. Jagen (sculps. et dir.; engraved on lower central edge of plate just inside neatline). Folds as issued. Two smaller spheres upper (Polus Arcticus) and lower (Polus Antarcticus) center. The majority of place names and verso text are in Dtuch. The decorative allegorical surrounds are quite nice. The map image measures 30 x 45 cm, with the diameter of each hemisphere measuring 22 cm. The Keur family were active bible publishers from the mid 17th to mid 18th centuries. This particular map corresponds to variant K III, entry 137, p. 205 in Poortman and Augusteijn's "Kaarten in Bijbels..." The map date is approximate. There is no recto title banner for this issue.. Very Good. Map.

Amsterdam: I(oshue) Ottens, 1667. A more complete title for this copper-plate etching with two views is: Afbeeldingh van de stadt en revier van Rochester, Chetham, etc. Aerdigh na 't leven geteeckent door W. Schellinks van de zuydt-west syde, waer in klaer vertoont wert de victorieuse uytwerckingh van de oorlochs vloot der ... Staten Generael ... voorgevallen op den 19, 20, 21, 22, en 23 Iunii 1667. uytgegeven by I.Ottens tot Amsterdam. [Daaronder:] Het eylandt Shepey en 't fort Shirenasse verovert ende geplondert op den 20 en 21 Juny 1667. Very good, heavy paper, fold at center (with lesser right sided vertical crease) b&w (as issued) detailed and decorative engraving of this late stage following the Dutch attack at Medway, led by Dutch Lieutenant Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, under the supervision of Dutch politician, the Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt. Of those online entries for this pair of engravings, all I have found are attributable to publisher N. Visscher, and this is… Read More

London: Wm. Faden, 1777. Very good, minimal wash color as issued, with remarks indicating the survey order of Genr. Pownall. This uncommon map relates to the invasion of Canada. A few small archival taped repairs in margin verso. Heavy paper, very ittle browning This is the later state (2nd), with the dedication to Major General John Burgoyne, and the table of the "Winter Quarters of the Kings Army in Canada..." Below the cartouche: London, Published as the Act directs, Feby. 25. 1777 by Wm. Faden, Corner of St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cross. Ref: McCorckle, New England in Early Printed Maps, entry 777.19; Nebenzahl, entry 43. Folds as issued. Image measures 57 x 85 cm (22.5 x 33. 5 inches).. First Edition Thus. Very Good. Map.

Paris: le Rouge, 1777. Very good/excellent, hand colored outlines, trimmed a bit close at margin (due to binding in prior Le Rouge atlas, "Atlas Ameriquain Septentrional..."). Image measuring 62 x 50 cm (24 x 20 inches). This is a clean impression on heavy paper. Three insets: Louisiane, southeast coastal region (Floride), Sault du Niagra. "Par le Sr. le Rouge, ingenieur geographe du Roy." appears after title in upper margin. This is McCorkle entry 777.14, without the "Corrigee...M. Hawkins...". Apparently Le Rouge reworked his early map (Canada et Louisane..) of 1755, and changed the title for this work (McCorkle entry 755.23). Not in Nebenzahl, although several other maps from this atlas appear in the references. The map is cataloged in OCLC. . Very Good. Map.

Paris: apud autorem and Aut. Boudet, 1752. Very good, early hand color, wide margins on laid paper. This is a rather decorative double hemisphere (eastern and western) image.Two watermarks visible verso. Two cartouches upper (title) and lower (notes) central map. The date on the map is 1752, but this is from an "Atlas Universel..." ca. 1757. An image of the map appears in the online David Rumsey Map Collection. Each hemisphere is 35 cm (13.75 inches) in diameter, on a sheet measuring 53 x 83 cm (21 x 32 5 inches), including margins. (Ref: Pedley. Belle et utile, p. 135, no.13.). Map.