TANNER, HENRY SCHENCK. 1786-1858. A New American Atlas containing Maps of the Several States of ...

TANNER, HENRY SCHENCK. 1786-1858. A New American Atlas containing Maps of the Several States of the North American Union. Philadelphia: By the Author, 1823. 604 x 414 mm. 22 engraved double-page maps, all with contemporary hand-coloring, the two maps of South America and four maps of North America joined into two composite maps, reinforced with cloth at folds. Contemporary marbled calf bordered in gilt, rebacked with original spine laid down. Rubbed, spine ends chipped, half title page removed leaving stub, some scattered foxing. Provenance: 'Fasquel' (early bookplate). FIRST EDITION, A BEAUTIFUL COPY of 'the most distinguished atlas published in the United States during the engraving period' (Ristow). By publishing each map on a uniform scale, and grouping states where necessary, Tanner presented a cohesive geographical entity for the new nation and created a new standard for cartography in America. 'Tanner's 'Atlas' represents the first comprehensive analytical compilation of existing cartographic and geographic data for the United States as a whole' (Schwartz and Ehrenberg, p 251). The spectacular folding map of North America is a high point of American cartography. 'The map was a landmark – a great cartographic achievement ... [and] was the progenitor of a long line of famous maps' (Wheat). This tremendous map, measuring 58 x 45 inches, reflects the extent of the Lewis and Clark discoveries and presents findings of the expeditions of Pike, James, and the other great early overland surveys. 'Tanner ... was endowed with that combination of scientific and artistic sense that spells the true cartographer and that led him ultimately to produce for his time the outstanding map representations of the territory of the United States. ... No modern atlas of relatively equal merit is available to the American public today' (Dictionary of American Biography). Howes T-29; Phillips 1374; Sabin 94319; Schwartz and Ehrenberg, p 251; Wheat Mapping the Transmississippi West 350. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing