A fine British atlas containing 47 maps elegantly drawn and engraved by John Dower. The maps cover the world and show the full extent of the British Empire with consistent coloring throughout the atlas. All the maps are presented with excellent detail including roads, railways and canals. The large, foldout map of India is dissected into four sheets and shows a detailed view of the lands controlled by the British East India Company and the settlements of other European powers. The two maps of Australia (Colony of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land) show the extent of exploration, settlement and mining areas. Three of the maps feature the independent Republic of Texas with a note on the map of Mexico and Guatimala stating, “The province of Texas acknowledged an independent state by Grt. Britain, Novr. 1840.” Hardbound in original full morocco with raised bands and gilt embossing, marbled end papers and T.E.G. A manuscript dedication on endpaper presents the book to Captain T. Locke Lewis from Henry Woolcombe, Feb. 1847.

Henry Teesdale was a prominent London publisher and founding fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He produced large-scale maps and charts and a number of fine atlases in the early part of the nineteenth century. He employed the most skilled draftsmen and engravers and his maps are renowned for precise detail and fine coloring. His maps, and particularly his atlases, are increasingly scarce on the market.

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Condition: B+

Maps excellent, clean and bright with original outline color. Binding tight with minimal rubbing and shelf wear. Front cover nearly detached and stabilized with archival binding tape at gutter. Would be a stunning example with minimal binding conservation.