Leipzig: In der Johann Carl Müllerischen Buch-und Kunsthandlung, 1776. Part I (only, of 2), quarto.(10 x 8 3/4 inches). Collation: *2, A-C4, D2...
MoreLeipzig: In der Johann Carl Müllerischen Buch-und Kunsthandlung, 1776. Part I (only, of 2), quarto.(10 x 8 3/4 inches). Collation: *2, A-C4, D2 (Title [verso blank], 2pp. 'Vorerinnerung', pp.1-28 text). Woodcut decorative vignette on title, 2 woodcut headpieces, 1 large folding hand-coloured copper-engraved map 'Carte von dem Hafen und der Stadt Boston' by Georg Friedrich Frentzel after Jean Chevalier de Beaurain. Original grey paper wrappers, uncut (some soiling and small tears to covers, backstrip defective), modern blue morocco-backed blue cloth box, titled in gilt on "spine". A fine unsophisticated copy of this very rare part work including one of the most important Revolutionary War maps of Boston, that Krieger & Cobb cite as "the only German map of Boston [made] during the Revolutionary period." Müller apparently issued two parts to this work, both of which are exceptionally rare. There are no auction records; Sabin notes the present first part, but was evidently unaware of the existence of the second part, sub-titled "Allgemeine Beschreibung der engländischen Colonien in Nord-Amerika, nebst einer Karte von denselben und einer Karte von Long-Island." OCLC records only a single copy of this work (with both parts) in the New York Public Library. The interesting text gives details of the history of the English in North America, followed by sections on New England, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and the territory of Sagadahock, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The text ends with a note that other colonies will be described in the next part: "Die übrigen Colonien folgen in dem nächsten Stücke." The highly important map is a version of a French map of the same year, which itself made use of J.F.W. Des Barres "Map of the Port of Boston." It captures the moment when British forces, still in control of Boston, prepare to face George Washington's Continental forces. Boston, on a narrow peninsula is shown to be in an increasingly precarious defensive position. In an improvement over its French predecessor, the present edition makes a clear reference to the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775), noting the "Ruinen von Charles=town." Around the city, the placement of the respective forces is depicted with unparalleled accuracy, with the British troop lines highlighted in blue and the Continental troop lines in red. Three divisions of Washington's forces are placed with one at Cambridge, one at Charlestown Neck, and another above Roxbury. The observer will notice that the British commanders elected not to place troops atop Dorchester Heights. Washington later took this ground, giving him an irrepressible advantage over the British in the ensuing siege. The British were compelled to leave the city in March, 1776. Cf. Allgemeine deutsche Bibliothek, Anh.25-36.Bd., 3.Abt., 1780, pp.1367-1369; cf. OCLC 41205246 (listing only 1 example, the New York Public Library copy, containing both parts); Sabin 26980 (mentioning only the present first part) For the map, see: The Library of Congress Quarterly Journal no.30, (1973), pp.252-253; Cresswell The American Revolution in Drawings and Prints 706; Krieger & Cobb Mapping Boston p.181, pl.27; Pedley The Map Trade in the Eighteenth-Century pp.27-30, figs. 4 & 5; Nebenzahl 18; Sellers & Van Ee Maps and Charts of North America & the West Indies 924
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