Notes on the State of Virginia. by JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826)

London: Printed for John Stockdale, 1787. 8vo., (8 7/8 x 5 1/2 inches). Fine engraved folding map ".country between Albemarle Sound, and Lake Erie, comprehending the whole of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pensylvania, with parts of several other of the United States of America" by S. J. Neele handcolored in outline (framed separately, expert and discreet repairs to folds, right margin and lower left corner). Folding letterpress table, title-page (expertly and discreetly repaired along bottom margin, small numerical stamp to lower margin of advertisement leaf, moderate foxing throughout, Aa8 roughly cut). ORIGINAL PUBLISHER'S blue paper boards, drab paper spine, plain endpapers (expertly rebacked to style, upper tip of rear board renewed). Modern calf clamshell box. First English edition, first published privately (Paris, 1782 [but 1785]) and followed by a poor French translation (Paris, 1786). The only full-length book by Thomas Jefferson to be published during his lifetime, the "Notes on the State of Virginia" was not originally intended for publication. It was written as Jefferson's formal response to inquiries regarding the general features of the state posed by M. Barbé Marbois, a French ambassador to America. Jefferson's comprehensive "Notes " address Virginia's topography, climate, boundaries, population, colleges, government, commerce, agriculture, native Indian tribes, natural history, and many other subjects. The tables include a chart of the "Birds of Virginia," indicating "Catesby's designations" and "popular names." Perhaps the first truly American piece of writing, the "Notes " demonstrate a style and language beholden to no particular European literary ancestors. Elements of Jefferson's political and literary eloquence permeate the book, which he wrote primarily while he was U.S. minister to France. Although he intended the "Notes " only for limited circulation rather than for publication, demand from his friends was so great that Jefferson decided to make them available in book form. The first French edition was published in Paris in 1786, translated by André Morellet, and the first English edition was issued in London the following year. Jefferson's "Map of the Country between Albemarle Sound and Lake Erie " which accompanies the text (and is framed separately) is the only map that the statesman ever drafted, and one of supreme importance. This map has considerable historical value, serving as primary documentary evidence of the westward movement in Virginia which is recorded cartographically on very few maps. The period between 1750 and 1800 was one of extensive and accelerated migration, which Jefferson's map captures at mid-point between the map that his father, Peter Jefferson, made with Joshua Fry in 1750, and James Madison's map of 1807. Jefferson's familiarity with the heavily populated area of the state resulted in the location of towns and county seats with greater precision than had been achieved previously. Many natural monuments were marked for the first time on a map, including Zane's and Madison's Caves, the Indian Grave, and the Natural Bridge. This pivotal map, furthermore, served as a forum in which Jefferson could not only record with precision the geography of the state, but also make a political statement regarding the proper western boundary of Virginia and the future division of the western lands into five new states. Three of these he labeled simply as "A New State," but two others were named specifically: "Kentuckey" because it was already one of the western counties of Virginia and known by that name, and "Frankland for the area that is now Tennessee. In this way Jefferson's map reflects not just the conventional cartographer's task of mapping the land and its boundaries as they stand, but the excitement of delineating the land as it was envisioned to become. Clark 1:262; Howes J78; Sabin 35896. For more information about this book, or a warm welcome to see it and other books in our library at 72nd Street, NYC, please contact Kate Hunter, M.A. Oxon, in the Rare Book Department.