This large, influential map had a long and varied publishing history. Originated by Emanuel Bowen & John Gibson and published by Robert Sayer in circa 1755 to illustrate the seat of the French and Indian War, the map went through numerous revisions and editions to document the expanding cartographic knowledge and political landscape of North America. This is the tenth edition; the second issue following the formation of the United States. The map provides an extremely detailed view of the continent at the conclusion of the American Revolution. The United States is shown with its 1783 treaty border and the French and Spanish possessions are noted. It locates hundreds of settlements and Indian villages and is filled with interesting notations referring to native tribes and historical events. A number of roads are shown on the map stretching all the way to the Southwest and into Mexico. There are two interesting inset maps. One shows the discoveries of Father Eusebius Kino in the Southwest that proved that California was not an island. The other illustrates the ongoing search for a Northwest Passage, showing Baffin and Hudson Bays with the fictional Lake de Fonte reaching nearly to Baffin Bay. It is embellished with a bold title cartouche featuring Native Americans and indigenous animals. In this edition the imprint is "London. Printed for Robt Sayer, Map, Chart & Printseller … August 15th 1786." Printed on four sheets, joined to form two large sheets, as issued. Dimensions given are for the joined sheets; if combined, the map would measure approximately 46 x 40".

References: Stevens & Tree (MCC-39) #49-j.

Condition: B+

A very nice example with just a little minor toning and faint offsetting including a larger area of toning at upper left on top sheet. Still better condition than this map is usually found due to its size.