This attractive example of Blair's work covers world history up to the date of publication through use of 16 double page maps and numerous chronological table plates, all double page. The title page is beautifully engraved with scroll titling and dated MDCCXC. Next is an elaborate engraved dedication page to "Augusta Princess Dowager of Wales" with a large Royal Coat of Arms. There is a twenty page preface as well as an extensive thirty-three page index. There are fourteen listed maps, 7 ancient and 7 contemporary including a map of North America which is really a map of the American colonies as they were in 1768. The maps were engraved by Thomas Kitchin. This edition has the addition of a triple-page hemispheric world map dated 1779 and a map of the continent of India dated 1773. All the maps are very detailed and finely engraved, printed on high quality paper with large watermarks.

Many of the maps are spectacular, but the superb map of the British Colonies (A Map of North America from the Latest Surveys and Maps) rates separate comment. The map shows the Atlantic seaboard west beyond the Mississippi River during the transitional period leading up to the American Revolution. The map shows much of the region controlled by the British after the French and Indian War. Several of the colonial charters show their boundaries extending off the map to an indeterminate western boundary. The charter and dates are noted along the colonial boundaries, which extend through Louisiana, a Spanish possession at the time this map was made. Another conflicting boundary is New Mexico's eastern line, which travels north along the R. Mexicano (Sabine River) before turning northwest where it intersects with North Carolina's southern border. Texas is shown in the larger New Mexico region as Cenis. Finely engraved by Thomas Kitchin, the map shows a good amount of detail regarding topography and watershed, Indian lands, settlements, fishing banks, and more.

Hardbound in full original leather with gilt border on the covers.

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Condition: B+

Condition code is for the maps and tables which are generally clean and bright with occasional faint toning, light offsetting, or spot of foxing. Both the front and rear cover are detached, but the text block is intact. Covers are moderately worn and chipped along the edges. Given the internal quality, this example would benefit significantly from professional rebinding.