4 volumes. viii, [2], [10], 591; [4], 493; [4], 525; [4], 415, [1], 54, [9] pp. With 35 engraved maps and plates (one hand-colored), some folding; 5 tables on 3 folding sheets plus 2 other tables. (8vo) 21x13 cm (8¼x5¼"), old mottled boards with leather corners, rebacked with modern calf ruled in gilt, old morocco lettering pieces employed. First Edition.
Winterbotham wrote this account of the early years of the United States while imprisoned in Newgate Prison for the crime of sedition. Present in this set are both the scarce color plate of the tobacco plant and the almost invariably lacking plan of Washington D.C. The map by John Russell, titled "Plan of the City of Washington, in the Territory of Columbia, Ceded by the States of Virginia and Maryland to the United States of America and by them Established as the Seat of their Government, after the Year 1800", 40x53 cm. (15¾x20½"), is based on the 1792 plan for the Capitol city by Andrew Ellicott, which is in turn a completion of the plan begun by Pierre Charles L'Enfant in 1791. Other maps are of North America, United States, New England States, Middle States, Southern States, Kentucky, South America, and the West Indies, and in there are plans of Lystra and Franklinville in Kentucky in addition to that of Washington D.C. Other plates include portraits of notable Americans (as well as the author), natural history subjects, etc.
Provenance: Holmes, 3/70
References: Sabin 104832; Howes W581.
Condition:
Some rubbing and wear to the early boards; offsetting and foxing to some of the maps, but only very slight to the plan of Washington, which has some edge wear and a 5" stub tear neatly repaired on verso; very good condition.