Thomas Jefferys was one of the most important English map publishers of the 18th century. His work included prints and maps of locations around the world, but his most notable maps are of North America and the West Indies. He began his career in the map trade in the early 1730s, working as an engraver for a variety of London publishers, and eventually setting up his own shop. In 1746, he was appointed Geographer to the Prince of Wales, and in 1760 he became Geographer to the King. These titles granted access to manuscripts and cartographic information held by the government. In the early 1760s he embarked on an ambitious project to produce a series of English county maps based on new surveys, but ran out of money and filed for bankruptcy in 1766. He then partnered with London publisher Robert Sayer, who reissued many of Jefferys plates and continued to issue new editions after Jefferys' death in 1771. Jefferys' American Atlas and the accompanying West-India Atlas, published post posthumously, are considered his most important cartographic works.

This is one of Jeffreys' famous large-scale county maps and a key map of Yorkshire. The expenses he incurred in making these surveys and producing these spectacular maps resulted in his bankruptcy. This splendid map provides a wealth of information with unprecedented accuracy and the crisp engraving illustrates the varied topography. There are large inset plans of Sheffield, Leeds, Scarborough, Ripon, Kingston Upon Hull, and York. An index map fills the upper right corner and the bottom of the map is beautifully engraved with views of Middleham Castle drawn by N.T. Dall and engraved by W. Walker. The map is dedicated to Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquis of Rockingham, Earl of Malton. Dissected and linen-backed and folded in 8 sections into the original marbled boards. This is the first edition published by Jefferys.

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Condition: B+

Overall in very good condition for a map of this size with no tears in the linen backing and minimal light toning in the map. The marbled paper boards are completely worn. There appears to be two sets of cover boards with the map, which could be used to refabricate a slipcase.