Description

PUBLICATION DETAILS: By John Smith. Published in Cleveland y the World Publishing Co., 1966. 13″h x 8 1/2″w. A facsimile of the first edition.  Bound in vellum with fabric ties and boxed.  Accompanied by a booklet containing “Historical Introductionby A. L. Rowse and Bibliographic Notes by Robert O. Dougan.”  Also included is a folded pamphlet, An Invitation to Review, advertising Smith’s book.
 
MAP: Virginia. A double-page facsimile of the original map by John Smith. “Captain John Smith created the first detailed map of the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to the region’s geography, Smith labelled the locations of dozens of American Indian towns. His map of “Virginia” – which also depicts what is today Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware – was published in 1612. It remained in active use for seven decades by Europeans looking to explore, build settlements, and trade in the region. The map’s geographical accuracy is impressive given that Smith traveled about 2,500 miles in a series of short expeditions and had only rudimentary mapmaking tools to work with. A significant portion of the geographic and cultural information was communicated to Smith by American Indians themselves. American Indians did not make paper maps like Europeans did, but they had other equally effective methods for recording and sharing information about location and geography. Smith’s map is an invaluable resource for contemporary Tribal citizens, researchers, and others interested in the details of Native societies in the Chesapeake prior to European interference” (National Park Service).
 
SMITH: John Smith (1580-1631) was among the first settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.  He had joined the Virginia Company of London expedition of 1606–1607. While at Jamestown, he served on the local council, explored and mapped the Chesapeake Bay, established a sometimes-contentious relationship with the Powhatan Indians, and was president of the colony from September 1609 to September 1610. He was unpopular among his fellow colonists who forced his return to England in October 1610. Smith never returned to Virginia, but he did travel t the northeast coast of North America and mapped a portion which he named New England.
 
CONDITION: Book in fine condition. Velvet-lined box in very good condition.