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 fascinating map charts the geographical path across the Northern Hemisphere of the annular solar eclipse on July 14th, 1748. It is surrounded by 24 vignettes of the eclipse in various world cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Rome, Constantinople, Moscow, Jerusalem, and Boston. The eastern coast of the present-day United States has just around a dozen place names and is labeled British Plantations. Decorative cartouche and titling. The imprint below the neatline reads, "Published according to Act of Parliament. Jan. 1. 1748. by E. Cave."

References: Jolly #GENT-59.

Condition: A

A crisp impression issued folding, now flat, laid on sturdy paper. There is a binding trim and associated tiny tear at right.