A NEW ATLAS OF THE BRITISH WEST INDIES, WITH A WHOLE SHEET GENERAL MAP OF THE WEST INDIA ISLANDS, AND A WHOLE SHEET MAP OF THE ISLAND OF HISPANIOLA, OR ST. DOMINGO.

Published by Philadelphia: James Humphreys, 1806.

Seller: William Reese Company, New York, NY, U.S.A.William Reese Company

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since July 13, 2006

Association member: ABAAESASNEABILAB

Condition: Used

£ 9,171.12

£ 10.39 shipping 
Ships within U.S.A.

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket
Free 30-day returns

Item description from seller

A rare early American atlas, published to accompany the Philadelphia edition of Bryan Edwards' HISTORY OF THE WEST INDIES (1806), first published in London in 1793. Edwards (1743-1800) was a British politician and sometime Jamaica planter. "Edwards was a diligent and able writer of West Indian history. Of his literary works, the most important is his two-volume HISTORY, CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL, OF THE BRITISH COLONIES IN THE WEST INDIES, published in London in 1793. According to Elsa Goveia, its scope is large, providing 'a complete account of the British islands - their origin and progress, their political system, their inhabitants, customs, institutions, agriculture and commerce.' Edwards wrote that he attempted 'to describe the manners and dispositions of the present inhabitants, as influenced by climate, situation, and other local causes.an account of the African slave trade, some observations on the negro character and genius, and reflections on the system of slavery established in our colonies.' This classic work ran into five editions, was expanded to five volumes in the last edition, which appeared in 1819, and was translated into French, German, Dutch, Portuguese, and Italian" - DNB. This production is notable as a piece of early American cartography. The first American atlas of any kind was produced in 1794 by Mathew Carey, also of Philadelphia. James Humphreys (1748-1810) was an ambitious Philadelphia printer who began printing prior to the Revolution. His unwillingness to openly side with the American cause during the war resulted in his being labeled as a Loyalist, which had a somewhat negative impact on his later career. He left Philadelphia with the British, moving to New York and then later to England and Nova Scotia before returning to Philadelphia in 1797 to reestablish his press. This handsome atlas is one of the most important of his publications from his later career. The maps were engraved by Joseph H. Seymour, an American-trained engraver who began working for Isaiah Thomas in Worcester, Massachusetts as early as 1791. He worked for Thomas extensively until relocating to Philadelphia from about 1803 to 1822, where he continued his trade as an engraver, producing this atlas, among his other works. The maps are as follows: "A General Map of the West Indies," as well as individual maps of Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, St. Christopher and Nevis, Antigua, the Virgin Islands, Tobago, and Hispaniola. The "General Map" as well as the maps of Jamaica and Hispaniola are larger, folding sheets. SHAW & SHOEMAKER 10342. DNB (online). Two leaves of text and eleven maps (three folding). Quarto. Original marbled boards, neatly rebacked in antique calf, spine gilt, leather label. Text leaves lightly toned, scattered foxing to maps. Slight separation at folds of Hispaniola map. A few small tears at edges. About very good.…

Seller Inventory # 46236

Bibliographic details

Title
A NEW ATLAS OF THE BRITISH WEST INDIES, WITH A WHOLE SHEET GENERAL MAP OF THE WEST INDIA ISLANDS, AND A WHOLE SHEET MAP OF THE ISLAND OF HISPANIOLA, OR ST. DOMINGO.
Author
Edwards, Bryan: [Humphreys, James, publisher]: [Seymour, Joseph H., engraver]:
Publisher
Philadelphia: James Humphreys, 1806.

William Reese Company

New York, NY, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since July 13, 2006

Association member:

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item7 to 21 business days3 to 10 business days
First item£ 10.39£ 15.58
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Bank Draft
  • Bank Wire Transfer
  • Check
  • Money Order

Store description

ABAA-ILAB

Specialty

Americana, Voyages & Travels, Photographs, Natural History, Manuscripts

Association member

  • Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
  • The Ephemera Society of America
  • Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers
  • International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

William Reese Company - Americana

409 Temple Street
New Haven, CT U.S.A. 06511