Collection of a Florida Bibliophile

[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]

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 and judicious Observations of Engineers De Brahm and Romans; Cook, Jackson, and Collet; Maj. Holland, and other Officers, Employed in His Majesty's Fleets and Armies. London: Printed for R. Sayer and J. Bennet, [1776]. Contemporary marbled boards over calf with a black morocco spine label lettered in gilt, housed in a leather-backed clamshell case. 9 x 5 1/2 inches (23 x 14 cm); letterpress title-page, dedication, advertisement, map list, and 6 engraved folding maps with original hand-coloring in outline. Some wear to the binding, the boards neatly rehinged, tissue strengthening to hinges, slightly bowed. Offsetting to maps with various small splits along fold lines (chiefly at edges and intersections), neat old paper repairs at fold intersections on versos, one map with silking near center fold, occasional small stains and minor spotting, scattered small splits and folds at borders. Overall, the maps are in exceptional condition and the coloring is bright. With the contemporary ownership inscription of Margaret Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone, daughter of General Robert Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone in pale brown ink on the title.

First edition of the "Holster Atlas" in original boards. The Atlas was designed "to suit the pockets of officers of all ranks" for use in the field during the American Revolution. The maps are those "that the British high command regarded as providing essential topographical information in the most convenient form" (Schwartz & Ehrenberg 190). The present copy bears the inscription of Margaret Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone of the prominent British military family. Her father, Robert Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone, was a senior British Army commander of the 18th century. He was the Colonel of the 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot between 1770 and 1794, which was garrisoned at Gibraltar during the Seven Years' War and later moved to Cork, Ireland in 1768. The unit joined the Revolutionary War in 1776, serving at Quebec, Fort Ticonderoga, and the Saratoga campaign.

The six maps include:

1) [DUNN, SAMUEL]: North America, as divided amongst the European Powers. London: printed for Robt. Sayer, Jan. 10, 1774. Engraved map, hand-colored in outline. 13 3/4 x 19 inches (35 x 48.25 cm).

2) [DUNN, SAMUEL]. A Compleat Map of the West Indies, containing the coasts of Florida, Louisiana, New Spain and Terra Firma: with all the islands. London: Robt. Sayer, Jan. 10, 1774. Engraved map, hand-colored in outline 14 x 19 inches (35.5 x 48.25 cm).

3) 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. From the Maps Published by the Admiralty and Board of Trade, regulated by the Astronomic and Trigonometric Observations of Major Holland and Corrected from Governor Pownall's Late Map of 1776. London: Robt. Sayer & Jno. Bennet, Aug. 14, 1776. Engraved map, hand-colored in outline. 20 x 27 3/4 inches (51 x 70.5 cm).

4) 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 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. London: R. Sayer & J. Bennet, Oct. 15, 1776. Engraved map, hand-colored in outline. 20 1/4 x 28 inches (51.5 x 71 cm).

5) [ROMANS, BERNARD]. A General Map of the Southern British Colonies in America. Comprehending North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, with the Neighboring Indian Countries. From the Modern Surveys of Engineer De Brahm, Capt. Collet, Mouzon & others; and from the large Hydrographical Survey of the Coasts of East and West Florida by B. Romans. London: R. Sayer & J. Bennett [sic], Oct. 15, 1776. Engraved map, hand-colored in outline 20 3/4 x 27 inches (53 x 69.75 cm).

6) [BRASSIER, WILLIAM FURNESS]: A Survey of Lake Champlain, including Lake George, Crown Point and St. John. 1776. London: Robt. Sayer & Jno. Bennet, Aug. 5, 1776. Engraved map, hand-colored. 28 x 20 1/2 inches (71 x 52 cm).

A significant collection of Revolutionary-era American maps. Schwartz & Ehrenberg 190; Streeter sale 73; Sabin 1147.