Books

First London edition, following the privately printed, virtually unobtainable first edition (Paris, 1782 [i.e., 1785]), and a poor French translation (Paris, 1786). Octavo. [4], 382pp. With an engraved folding map, hand-colored in outline, titled: "A Map of the country between Albemarle Sound, and Lake Erie, comprehending the whole of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania," and folding letterpress table. A handsome copy professionally bound in period style polished quarter calf and marbled paper over boards, gilt spine lettering with raised bands. Small printed bookplate of a noted collector on the front pastedown, and two small ink notations on the verso of the title page. Expert early paper repairs on the verso of the folding map, and one small paper repair on the title page; internally very good, clean, with a few small stains on the verso of the folding map. A lovely copy of the scarce, only book-length work by Jefferson published in his lifetime, and the first edition in English to contain the historically important map engraved by Samuel J. Neele. Jefferson's *Notes on the State of Virginia* has long been recognized as "one of America's first permanent literary and intellectual landmarks." As noted by J.M. Edelstein: "Jefferson wrote about things which interested him deeply and about which he knew a great deal; the Notes, therefore, throws a fascinating light on his tastes, curiosities, and political and social opinions." An attractive, well-preserved copy in a handsome period style binding. ESTC T147402; Sowerby IV: 301-30. Howes J78; Clark 1: 262; Vail 760; Mapping Virginia 113.