1806 Brookes General Gazetteer Geographical Dictionary 1st U.S. Edition, Plates

Description: Brookes's General Gazetteer Improved; Or, A New and Compendious Geographical Dictionary: Containing a Description of the Empires, Kingdoms, States, Provinces, Cities, Towns, Forts, Seas, Harbors, Rivers, Lakes, Mountains, Capes, etc. in the Known World. With the Government, Customs, Manners, and Religion of the Inhabitants; The Extent, Boundaries, and Natural Productions of Each Country; the Trade, Manufactures, and Curiosities of the Cities and Towns, their Longitude, Latitude, Bearings and Distances in English Miles, from remarkable places; and the various Events by which they have been distinguished. Including a Detail of the Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Market-Towns, and Principal Villages, in Great Britain and Ireland: Together with A succinct Account of, at least, seven hundred Cities, Towns, and Villages in the United States, more than has appeared in any preceding. Edition of the same Work; in which the numerous mistakes and deficiencies of European Gazetteers, respecting this country, are corrected and supplied. Illustrated by Eight Maps, Neatly Executed. Originally Written by R. Brookes, M.D., The First American Edition from the Lates European, with Great Additions and Improvements in Every Part. Philadelphia: Published by Jacob Johnson, & Co., 1806. Full leather binding, no pagination, 8.5 x 5.25 x 2.5", 8vo. In fair condition. Leather boards scuffed at edges and worn/bumped at corners. Head of spine moderately chipped with binding exposed. Red leather title label dulled and soiled from normal shelf-wear, but still legible. Hinges rubbed, but remain intact. Previous ownership signature at top edge of front fly-leaf: Henry Long's Book. Frontispiece fold-out of The World was folded in a way which has left some exposed edges & as a result there is light chipping and rubbing along edges. Off-setting exhibited on all fold-out maps & adjacent leaves. Some age-staining found on title page. All plates intact & attractive. Normal toning and shelf-wear throughout text-block. Binding tight and intact. Please see photos and ask questions, if any, before purchasing. Richard Brookes (1721-1763) was an English physician and author of compilations and translations on medicine, surgery, natural history, and geography, most of which went through several editions. He was at one point a rural practitioner in Surrey & at some time previous to 1762 he had travelled both in America and Africa. His General Gazette (originally published in 1762) filled a gap in the market and went through many editions. Detailed maps were engraved by William Ralph and William Kneass (1780-1840) and are as follows: The World after Arrowsmith, Africa after Arrowsmith, North America after Arrowsmith, South America after Olmadilla/Malespina, Asia after Arrowsmith, Europe after Arrowsmith, West Indies after various authorities, and United States and part of Louisiana after Bradley (sources not credited). All the maps use London for the prime meridian, except the U.S. map which uses Philadelphia. The U.S. map is a fine depiction of the country just prior to information on the Lewis and Clark expedition. William Kneass (1780-1840) was the second Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1824 until his death in 1840. Kneass is credited with designing the "Classic Head" motif, which appeared on numerous denominations of American currency, including the gold quarter edge ($2.50) and half edge ($5.00) gold pieces from 1834 to 1839. He also modified John Reich's "Capped Bust" design for use on the half dime through half-dollar from 1829 to 1837. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania & served in the War of 1812 as a field engineer. During his tenure as Chief Engraver, he oversaw production of gold coinage and circulating coinage. In this work, Kneass engraved the fold-out maps depicting Africa, South America, and a Map of the United States and part of Louisiana. A complete work - all plates intact and complete. Gift quality First American Edition! RAREA1806KQTB04/24 - HK1399

Price: 1000 USD

Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-11-02T21:16:07.000Z

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