Sign In

- Or use -
Forgot Password Create Account
The item illustrated and described below is sold, but we have another example in stock. To view the example which is currently being offered for sale, click the "View Details" button below.
Stock# 72751
Description

Third and Most Desirable Edition of Imlay's Topographical Description, Including the Largest Later Version of Elihu Barker's Wall Map of Kentucky.

A rare and important book on what was then the American frontier, published by J. Debrett in London in 1797.

In this 1797 edition, Imlay's work on the "Western Territory of North America" includes four folding maps, two of particular importance that do not appear in the earlier editions. The maps included in the work are:

  • A Map of The Western Part of the Territories belonging to the United States of America. Drawn from the best Authorities. (Conder, 1795)
  • A Plan of The Rapids of the Ohio. (Conder, 1793)
  • A Map of the State of Kentucky from Actual Survey by Elihu Barker of Philadelphia. (Conder, 1795)
  • A Map of the Tennassee Government formerly part of North Carolina, taken chiefly from Surveys by Genel. D. Smith & Others. (Conder, 1795)

Provenance

Interestingly, the book was apparently acquired in Canton, China in November of 1816, by William Carter. William Carter (1785-1821), a son of John Carter, was also a merchant. He traveled to Canton, China in 1815. He died in St. Francisville, Louisiana in 1821.

John Carter (1745-1814) was a printing apprentice of Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia and of William Goddard in Providence. He published the newspaper, the Providence Gazette, along with William Goddard and later William's mother, Sarah Goddard.

Condition Description
Octavo. Original calf rebacked with the use of the original backstrip. Four engraved folding maps.