An attractive pair of the distinctive Morse & Gaston atlases. The first volume pertains to the western hemisphere, while the second focuses on the eastern hemisphere.

The western hemisphere volume is a very desirable edition that contains pre-Civil War American state and territory maps. A total of 57 plates and maps include physical geography (12), world (2), North America (1), double-page United States (1) and U.S. states/territories (31), Canada (4), and Mexico/Latin America (6). The United States map shows large territorial configurations in the west including a huge Nebraska Territory and the southern portion of New Mexico Territory is labeled Arizona, 4 years prior to the territory's creation. Other maps of interest include Washington & Oregon territories, Utah & New Mexico, and several interesting thematic world maps showing data like animal distribution, religions and climate. 239 pages, rebacked with original red leather boards with gilt stamping. All edges gilt.

The eastern hemisphere volume contains 31 hand-colored maps consisting of the ancient world (6), Europe (14), Asia (6), Africa (3), and Australia/Pacific Ocean (2). The folding plate featuring native costumes from countries around the world is missing. 239 pages, hardbound in red leather with gilt stamping. All edges gilt.

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Condition: B+

Contents are very good with pleasant light toning. Only a fragment remains of the folding plate of native costumes in volume 2. Volume 1 has been rebacked with the original spine pasted on. The volume 2 spine has a long crack and the backstrip is partially attached. Both volumes have average wear to the covers and bumped corners.