MBA004: Lot 37. QUIN, E.

The atlas is unusual in that it utilises aquatint to great effect to illustrate geographical enlightenment by depicting the unknown as black clouds that roll back over succeeding maps to reveal the world as known at various points in time from ‘the deluge’ until 1828. The atlas was intended to educate schoolchildren about the history of the world, presenting history as a consistent and uniform whole, giving a rapid view of all great political changes in human society. It consists of a succession of maps accompanied by a narrative exhibiting the state of the known world at more than twenty periods in order to show the succession of empires. Of particular note are the maps showing the Garden of Eden, the Discovery of America and American Independence. The final map depicts the ‘End of the General Peace’ in 1828.

Description

Second edition; 4to (280 x x220 mm.); 21 hand-coloured folding engraved maps with aquatint, some creasing to fore-edges, one map re-edged at fore-edge, a few minor repairs to text ff., but overall internally very good; contemporary half calf rebacked in matching calf, publisher’s printed label to upper cover.

Provenance

Bibliography