The American Military Pocket Atlas; being an Approved Collection of Correct Maps, Both General and Particular, of the British Colonies; Especially Those which Now Are, or Probably May Be the Theatre of War: Taken Principally from the Actual Surveys, (Holster Atlas)

London: Printed for R. Sayer and J. Bennett, 1776. Book. Very Good. Hardback. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Here we feature the elusive so called "Holster Atlas", The American Military Pocket Atlas; being an Approved Collection of Correct Maps, Both General and Particular, of the British Colonies; Especially Those which Now Are, or Probably May Be the Theatre of War: Taken Principally from the Actual Surveys. This is the first edition, published in 1776 by Sayers and Bennet, containing all the six maps as called for, all in first state. vi-viiipp. dedication letter and Advertisement + list of maps; with six folding engraved maps with original outline colour, all in first state. Bound in original marbled boards with calf spine with green leather title label, the heraldic bookplate of Heinrich Johann, Freiherr von Gudenus dated 1891 on front pastedown. Known as the 'Holster Atlas' this work was designed for British cavalry officers for use in the field during the American War of Independence. It was "calculated in its Bulk and Price to suit the Pockets of Officers of all Ranks" (from the Advertisement leaf). The six maps here represent a distillation of what the British high command saw as the most pertinent topographical information for soldiers and, being issued at the war's outset, provides keen insight into how the British envisioned the war unfolding. These comprise: "North America, as divided amongst the European Powers", and "A Compleat Map of the The West Indies, containing Coasts of Florida, Louisiana, New Spain, and Terra Firma: with all the Islands" by Samuel Dunn; "A General Map of the Northern British Colonies in America. Which comprehends the Province of Quebec, the Government of Newfoundland, Nova-Scotia, New England and New York" by Samuel Holland and Thomas Pownall (1776); "A General Map of the Middle British Colonies, in America. Containing Virginia, Maryland, the Delaware counties, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With the addition of New York, and of the Greatest Part of New England, as also of the Bordering Parts of the Province of Quebec, improved from several surveys made after the late War, and Corrected from Governor Pownall's Late Map 1776" after Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson, and Lewis Evans; "A General Map of the Southern British Colonies, in America, comprehending North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, with the Neighbouring Indian Countries..." after William de Brahm, Henry Mouzon, John Collett, and Bernard Romans; "A Survey of Lake Champlain, including Lake George, Crown Point and St. John" by William Brassier. It is a highly evocative volume, taking us back to the year 1776 and the American War of Independence and the army that crossed the Atlantic to take part in this conflict. Small minor splits, repaired to folds, but nothing significant. A little rubbed, spine slightly worn at foot,  but a very good handsome copy of this significant military and topographical set. [Sabin 1147 & 1343]..