May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
Very good copy of Sayer and Bennet’s atlas for military officers fighting in America, nicknamed the Holster Atlas from its intended use by officers on campaign in the field. From the advertisement: "Surveys and Topographical Charts being fit only for a Library, such maps as an Officer may take with him into the Field have been much wanted. The following Collection forms a Portable Atlas of North America, calculated in its Bulk and Price to suit the Pockets of Officers of all Ranks." Schwartz and Ehrenberg, Mapping of America, regard it as, “one of the most important atlases of the American Revolution designed for use in the field. The Holster Atlas was issued at the suggestion of Governor George Pownall and included the ‘maps that the British high command regarded as providing essential topographical information in the most convenient form.’” Full title: “The American Military Pocket Atlas; Being An approved Collection of Correct Maps, Both General and Particular, of The British Colonies; Especially those which now are, or probably may be The Theatre of War: Taken principally from the actual Surveys and judicious Observations of Engineers De Brahm and Romans; Cook, Jackson, and Collet; Maj. Holland, and other Officers, Employed in His Majesty's Fleets and Armies. London. Printed for R. Sayer and J. Bennet, Map and Print-Sellers (No. 53) Fleet-street.” Fly leaf, title page, dedication, advertisement, list of maps: North America; The West Indies; The Northern Colonies; The Middle Colonies; the Southern Colonies; Lake Champlain. All six maps are present and in excellent condition, with good color, folded and bound in quarter leather binding with “The American Military Atlas” gilt blind stamped on spine. The three maps of the northern, middle, and southern colonies are interestingly captioned “the seat of war.” The map of Lake Champlain is significant for its role in American efforts against Canada and British efforts to split off the northern colonies climaxing in the Saratoga campaign. Reference: Streeter 73; Nebenzahl Atlas of the American Revolution; Fite & Freeman A Book of Old Maps; Howes; Phillips; Rumsey; Sabin; Schwartz & Ehrenberg. CONDITION: Very good. All maps in place, tightly bound, and complete. Minor folds. Chipping to end papers and minor wear to bumped leather corners and spine.