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)
"The most complete version of this work, in which form it was the most informative compilation on the West at the end of the 18th century. ... [T]he most complete information in the trans-Alleghany region" (Howes).
According to Reese, this is "One of the most important pieces of Americana of the late-18th century" (Federal).