MINIMUS Illustratus: containing Fifty-Two Pocket Maps of the World. Drawn and engraved by J, Gibson; Revised, corrected, and improved, by E. Bowen, Geographer to His Majesty. To which are added a Description of the several Empires, Kingdoms, States, and Provinces, of the known World; their Seas, Harbours, Rivers, and Mountains: With a concise account of the air, soil, and climate of each; and the government, customs, religion, and manners of the inhabitants.
London: T. Carnan and F. Newbery, 1774. 110 unnumbered leaves, comprising engraved frontispiece, title-page, and preface printed from type, engraved index, 54 leaves of descriptive text printed from type, 52 leaves of engraved maps. Bound in the original quarter green vellum over blue boards with e printed paper label to the spine. 114 x 85 mm. One the front fixed end-paper is pasted the printed notice extolling the virtues of this ‘new’ vellum binding. Ownership name on front free end-paper; small piece cut from front end-paper; boards a little rubbed; else an excellent clean copy in the original binding. Roscoe J146A(4). The first edition was issued in 1758. ‘One of the most attractive pocket atlases published in the eighteenth century. They were all finely done, with lovely little title cartouches and notes.’ Geoffrey L. King. Miniature Antique Maps.