A General Atlas Containing Maps Illustrating Some Important Periods in Ancient History and Distinct Maps of the Several Empires, Kingdoms, and States in the World. From Original Drawings According to the Latest Treaties by J. Wyld: and Engraved by N.R. Hewitt.

WYLD, James. Engraved by N.R. Hewitt.

Item Number: 117109

London: Printed for John Thomson & Co. for Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, London & John Cumming, Dublin, 1819.

Rare first edition of celebrated cartographer James Wyld (the Elder)’s authoritative world atlas. Quarto, bound in three quarters contemporary calf over marbled boards with original printed paper titular label to the front panel, gilt titles to the spine, engraved frontispiece table of comparative heights of of the principle mountains of the world, engraved calligraphic title page featuring an engraved vignette of Wyld displaying a globe, containing 41 hand-colored numbered maps (including one double-page) engraved by N.R.Hewitt after Wyld, additional table of comparative lengths of principle rivers of the world. The maps include four of the ancient world, three world maps (including a double-page Mercator’s projection map), nineteen maps of European countries, eight maps of Asia, two of Africa, and five related to the Americas each featuring a miniature vignette of the country or area’s most famed palace, city, or attraction. The map of the young United States includes several important historical regions. One of the most unique and scarce features on early maps of the United States is the appearance of Franklinia. Franklinia was formed by settlers in 1784, but it was never recognized by Congress. Eventually it was annexed by North Carolina and later reverted back to Tennessee. This ephemeral state appeared on only a small number of maps into the early part of the 19th century, this being a later example. In near fine condition. Rare and desirable.

One of the foremost geographers of his time, James Wyld (the Elder). made several important contributions to cartography, including the introduction of lithography as a method of map printing to England in 1812, He was named royal geographer to His Majesty George IV and William IV, as well as HRH the Duke of York. Upon his death in 1836, Wyld's eldest son, James Wyld Jr., became the sole owner of the thriving family mapmaking business based in Charing Cross. His maps, which covered regions as diverse as London and the gold fields of California, were regarded highly, and Wyld himself had an excellent reputation as a mapmaker; he was elected as a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1839, and he was appointed Geographer to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (as had been his father before him).