Subject: North America, Niagara Falls
Period: 1804 (dated)
Publication: View of the Climate and Soil of the United States of America
Color: Black & White
This set of maps come from the English edition of Volney's Tableau du Climat et du Sol des Etats-Unis... (View of the Climate and Soil of the United States) published in London:
A. Map of the United States of North America (21.4 x 16.5"). An attractive engraved copper-plate map that extends from northern Florida well into Canada to include the Maritimes. The map extends westward to beyond the Mississippi River. It locates some Indian tribes and gives the number of warriors in each, such as Country of the Chactaws (2000 warriors) and Country of the Creeks (5000 warriors). Land in western Tennessee is described as "very uneven ground" and southern Illinois is described as "desert savannahs". Extensive hachure is used in an attempt to illustrate the complex ranges of the Allegheny Mountains. The map names major cities only. Engraved by J. Bye.
B. Map of the Continent of North America to Illustrate the System of the Winds and Currents (13.1 x 10.1"). An early thematic map showing the Gulf Stream and trade winds. There is little inland detail with larger rivers and a few place names identified. The Great Plains are described as "Steps or Vast Savannahs Resembling Those of Tartary."
C. Section of the Fall in the Middle of the River [on sheet with] The Falls of Niagara into the Adjacent Country (14.0 x 5.9").
References: Howes #V-141.
Condition: B+
Issued folding with light toning and offsetting. The map of the eastern United States also has a 1.5" binding tear at left that has been closed on verso with archival materials. The plate has scattered foxing.