This very attractive and early map of the town of Halifax and vicinity is commonly referred to as The Porcupine Map for its awkward depiction of a porcupine at lower right (see description on page 80 for more insight). The top of the map is oriented to the west. It includes Bedford "formerly call'd Torrington Bay," Cornwallis Island, and a grid plan of Halifax with fortifications. The map is decorated with coats of arms, the Ensign of Nova Scotia, a Musk Beetle, and the Orange Underwing Tyger and White Admirable butterflies. The seven coats-of-arms are of the baronets of Nova Scotia and include those of Pinkington, Pickering, Longueville, Musgrave, Meredith, Slingsby, and Gascoigne. Kershaw attributes the map to Moses Harris due to his initials appearing in the vegetation below the title block. However, Jolly credits Thomas Jefferys because the butterflies depicted were a part of a collection advertised in the associated article as being on display at Jefferys' address in Caring Cross. Originally issued in the July 1750 issue of Gentlemen's Magazine, this example is bound into a volume collecting the twelve issues and supplement of Gentleman's Magazine published in 1750. 598 pages plus index. It is complete with all 23 engravings specified in the directions to the binder; among the more interesting items are engravings of Vesuvius and Etna. Hardbound in contemporary leather.

References: Jolly #GENT-70; Kershaw #813; Sellers & Van Ee #450.

Condition: B+

The folding map has a minor dampstain at bottom left, faint offsetting, and a binding trim to the neatline in the right blank margin. The other contents are overall remarkably clean and bright with a bit of extraneous creasing and minor spots and soiling in the text. Hinges are starting. There is moderate shelf wear including bumped corners and some surface abrasions, and the spine is cracking. Ex libris with bookplate and personal library stamp of previous owners.