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.

Attractive double-hemispheric map of the world. This is an updated version of the map, with the northwest coast of North America fully engraved. In Australia, a dotted coastline suggests a connection to Van Dimens Land and New Guinea. A large island, marked off the northwest coast of America, might have been based on an early sighting of Alaska, and is marked "discovered 1741". The map is surrounded by allegorical representations of wind, air, water and fire and a decorative title cartouche.

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Condition: B+

Nice impression with a couple of minor spots on a sheet that is remargined at bottom with a narrow top margin.