This handsome polar map, covering the region north of 50 degrees, is closely based on Moll's map from 1705. It contains numerous notations concerning recent discoveries and the entire western part of North America is labeled Parts Undiscovered. There is also a notation of a New Discover'd Sea in Hudson's Bay that is totally fictitious. At bottom are lengthy English text panels describing the possibilities of still discovering northeast and northwest passages to Asia, which "would greatly shorten the length and lessen the expenses of East India voyages; and consequently be of considerable advantage to our British trade and navigation." Further paragraphs of text provide the names of the navigators consulted in the formation of this chart and a note that "the publick is in great expectation of new discoveries from the expedition of the Dobbs Galley and the California which passed by Yarmouth the 31st of May 1746 under convoy of the Loo of 40 Guns on their voyage to discover the N.W. Passage by Hudson's Streights." Nicely decorated with a compass rose and a title cartouche surrounded by ornamental scrolls and foliage. This is the first state of this map, with the plate number "No. 110" engraved at lower left center.

References: Kershaw #419; McCorkle (18th C. Geography Books) #17-40 (Vol II).

Condition: A

Sharp impression, issued folding on a bright sheet with two small areas of toning at bottom, an archivally repaired fold separation at bottom, and a small chip at bottom left.