[Rarebooks] FS: Tanner's New Universal Atlas, 1836 (Early Texas map)

[Boston Book Company]

May we offer:

TANNER, Henry Schenck. A NEW UNIVERSAL ATLAS Containing Maps of the 
Various Empires, Kingdoms, States and Republics of the World. With a 
special Map of each of the United States, Plans of Cities, &c. 
Comprehended in seventy sheets, and comprising a series of one 
hundred and seventeen maps, plans and sections. Philadelphia, 
Published by the Author, 1836. Large folio. [75]ff. First edition. 
Tanner had pioneered in publishing accurate maps of the United States 
(New American Atlas, 1823), and now added the rest of the world. 
Starting with a "Map of the World on the Globular Projection," his 
Atlas includes all the countries of the world, the 27 states, certain 
city maps (NY, Philadelphia, Washington) and an attractive chart of 
the heights of mountains and lengths of rivers. A smaller "New and 
Elegant Universal Atlas" was planned, but upon finding a great 
demand, Tanner increased its size and added a number of maps, 
culminating in the publication of this version. Tanner's scientific 
bent and his high standards of accuracy contributed to his excellent 
reputation. His state maps were the most accurate of his time, and he 
was the first to publish a map of Texas. As he wrote in his 
prospectus and his introduction, ".. it is usual with most 
geographers to adopt, without due caution, all that they find in 
published maps; hence the coincidence observable in their respective 
publications, which, while it serves to impart a semblance of 
authority to such works, results too often from a indiscriminate use 
of obsolete and rejected materials.
Extensive as has been the stock of materials upon which the present 
work is founded, much additional work has been derived from private 
sources." It was Tanner's custom to solicit fresh data from all over 
the country. His prospectus requests "any original geographical 
information" from "gentlemen residing in the interior." This copy 
contains the binder's instructions, calling for engraved title page, 
Author's Notice, Contents, Index, maps 1- 68 (including no. 3 1/2), a 
prospectus for a Classical Atlas, and a list of maps available from 
the publisher. The binder has added the prospectus for the "New and 
Elegant Universal Atlas." The maps themselves are dated 1833-1836. 
Later editions appeared in 1843, 1844, and 1846. This copy needs to 
be rebound and is offered as is. The original marbled boards (top 
board not shown, very worn, with traces of adhesive from tape removal 
at back-edge and corners) are present but detached; and the backstrip 
is lacking. The first four leaves, comprising the title-page, 
author's notice, table of contents, and index, would need some 
restoration. They are detached, edgeworn, and have heavy vertical 
creases. The index leaf has a 5 1/2" closed tear that has an old 
repair (clear tape) on the verso.
The maps, however, have nice contemporary hand-coloring and are 
generally crisp and fine, with only a few exceptions. The first map, 
a global projection showing both hemispheres, is slightly 
dust-soiled; and one bottom corner is clipped just outside the plate 
mark but nowhere near the map. Two maps, of Germany and of the 
Austrian Empire, have early ink notations in margin, just entering 
the map frame in a few places in the latter. Map of the West Indies 
has a short (1/2") closed edgetear. Map of Sardinia has a small spot 
of foxing at the bottom. The last two maps, along with the prospectus 
for a Classical Atlas, the list of maps available from the publisher, 
and the notice to the binder, are detached but fine. $9,750.00

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