A New Geographical, Historical, And Commercial Grammar; And Present State Of The Several Kingdoms Of The World [Twelfth Edition] [21 Folding Maps by Thomas Kitchin] [MDCCXC?]

THE WORLD IN 1791 - AN ENLIGHTENMENT GEOGRAPHY WITH TWENTY-ONE FOLDING MAPS A substantial late-eighteenth-century geographical compendium combining cartography, history, commerce, astronomy, and political geography. Guthrie's widely used Grammar presented the kingdoms and regions of the world through their physical characteristics, governments, populations, economic resources, and commercial relationships. This twelfth edition is distinguished by its complete suite of 21 folding engraved maps by Thomas Kitchin, one of Britain's leading eighteenth-century cartographers. Together with the additional map and engraved illustration of the artificial sphere, they provide a comprehensive visual accompaniment to the text. Of particular interest is the map of Asia, depicting the expansive eighteenth-century geographical conception of Tartary across Central Asia, including Western and Chinese Tartary. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: CONTEMPORARY CALF - COMPLETE CARTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS. +++ Thick octavo, approximately 8.25 inches tall. Collation: [4], 6-928 pages; signatures in eights. +++ Contemporary full calf, spine divided into six compartments with raised bands and a red morocco title label. +++ Illustrated with 21 folding engraved maps by Thomas Kitchin, one additional full-page map, and an engraved plate titled The Artificial Sphere. Complete with all maps and illustrations called for. +++ The text includes geographical descriptions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with accompanying historical, political, commercial, statistical, and astronomical information. +++ An early manuscript ownership inscription at the head of the title page appears to read Wm. Seward's, although the identification has not been conclusively established. No bookplates are present. +++ A Table of Contents leaf retains an untrimmed fore-edge, folded inward during binding rather than cut flush with the text block. This surviving production detail provides physical evidence of eighteenth-century binding practice. CONDITION: GOOD - COMPLETE MAPS, SOUND CONTEMPORARY BINDING. Contemporary calf shows rubbing and expected age-related wear, with small losses at the corners and spine ends. Front joint worn and tender but holding. Text block sound, although several gatherings open somewhat widely at their joins. Interior generally clean, with light toning and scattered foxing. All 21 folding maps are present, well preserved, and free of tears, showing expected offsetting and minor handling wear. The additional full-page map and engraved plate are also present. An attractive, substantially complete eighteenth-century reference work retaining its contemporary binding. HISTORICAL AND CARTOGRAPHIC SIGNIFICANCE: BRITISH GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AT THE CLOSE OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT. First published in the eighteenth century, Guthrie's Geographical Grammar became a widely used British geographical reference. Its commercial emphasis distinguished it from purely descriptive geographies, combining accounts of nations and territories with information concerning trade, resources, government, and population. Thomas Kitchin, a prominent English cartographer who served as Hydrographer to the King, supplied the maps. Their geographical divisions, political boundaries, and colonial designations preserve a valuable record of British cartographic understanding shortly before the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars transformed European political geography. THE 1791 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL VARIANT. The title-page date of 1791 identifies an issue of the twelfth edition associated with ESTC N20135, recorded here as a bibliographical variant. Its complete cartographic apparatus and contemporary binding strengthen its value as a surviving example of late-Enlightenment geographical publishing. GENRES: Eighteenth-Century Geography, Historical Atlases, Cartography, Enlightenment Reference Works, Travel and Exploration, Commercial Geography, British Antiquarian Books, Illustrated Reference Books SUBJECTS: Wi.…