214, [1] pp. With 2 engraved maps, one of them folding; 4 "word maps" (described by Warren Heckrotte as "cartographic diagrams") in the text. (12mo) 15.6x9 cm (6¼x3½"), period calf, later(?) morocco spine label. First Edition.
Very rare first edition of the first American geography and the first to describe the Western country, including California. There are two engraved maps, the frontispiece double-hemisphere of the world, and a folding map of the United States. The latter is of special significance. The maps are:
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The World. Agreeable to the last Discoveries in the South Seas. 6.5x10 cm.
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A Map of the United States of America. 14x14 cm (printed on 2 sheets joined together).
Warren Heckrotte discusses the priority of the latter map: "The first appearance of a map of the U.S. printed in the U.S. is 1777; no copy has been located. The next appearance of maps of the U.S. printed in the U.S. was 1784. There were three: The Abel Buell map, the Wm. McMurray map, and this one in Morse. The first two are large maps..." He also notes another American geography book, "Geography Epitomized," attributed to Robert Davidson, which also appeared in 1784. David Forbes, in Hawaiian National Bibliography, draws attention to the following: "On page 9 Magellan, Drake, Lord Anson, and Captain Cook are mentioned, with a footnote on Cook, his voyages, the fact that he was killed 'on the island of Owhyhee' and that 'a concise account of these discoveries will be given in its proper place' (this latter does not appear in this edition)..." Ownership signatures of Mathew Russell, 1785, to front endpaper and title page; another inscription on endpaper.
Provenance: Golder, 9/81
References: Howes M-842. Wheat and Brun, 4 and 112 for maps. Forbes, Hawaii, 81.
Condition:
Moderate wear to covers, joints tender, ½" piece missing from spine foot; some darkening to contents, very good.