Philosophical and Political History of the Settlements and Trade of the Europeans in the East and West Indies [Vol. IV: ... on the Continent of North America]. Translated from the French of the Abbe Raynal, by J. Justamond, Dublin: John Exshaw and William Halhead, 1776. 4 volumes, 8vo.
A BEAUTIFUL SET OF RAYNAL'S FAMOUS HISTORY OF THE INDIES, PUBLISHED THE SAME YEAR AS THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE WITH ORIGINAL MAPS BY THOMAS KITCHIN FROM 1776 SHOWING CALIFORNIA AS AN ISLAND!
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There is a fascinating 'Map of European Settlements in North America' contained in the fourth volume dated April 24th 1776 just three months prior to the declaration of independence, showing American cities, states, etc, just prior to the declaration, as well as two huge foldout maps in volumes one and two, one of which shows California as an island as early North American maps erroneously and famously did for a short time period from circa the 1770s. Many of Thomas Kitchin's maps individually sell for several thousand GBP/USD for their fascinating content. Here in this set we find three of his famous maps bound in volumes 1,2, and 4.
Also of interest for the bibliophile like us are the advertisements at the rear of the volumes which advertise some of the most important publications of the 18th century, including the first editions of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, the first volume of the first edition of Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and many other interesting and significant works.
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Size: 140 x 216 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
[3ff, foldout map, pp.1-486, 2pp (advertisements)]; [2ff, foldout map, pp.1-595, 1pp (advertisements)]; [2ff, pp.1-504]; [2ff, foldout map, pp.1-509, 3pp (advertisements)]; [2ff, pp.1-605, a1-c2]
All volumes uniformly rebacked with new tooled morocco labels with the gilt date 1776 to the foot of each spine, also with some repair to the corners in a similar very neat manner and thus very attractive on the shelf. A bit of discolouration to the fifth volume and less so to the others, but this is not particularly aesthetically intrusive. All boards securely attached with hinges fine. No shelf lean as the set is placed on the shelf, but with a slight lean to the fourth volume when placed separately. Boards with some wear but generally very good. Rear board of the fourth volume with a small dented area with some loss to the leather which does not affect the text block. 3 foldout maps (of 4), lacking the map called for in volume three. First and second volume's rather large foldout maps torn slightly at the join to the book but with the majority of the maps in excellent condition, third smaller map in the fourth volume in near fine condition. No foxing. Internally very clean throughout with edge toning to the endpapers as commensurate with the calf bindings.
Overall an excellent set of this scarce book, rare with any of the maps intact with the set.
[Sabin 68088;
OCLC 1050718031 (describing the later third edition from John Adams' library)].
