An example of the first edition of William Faden’s miniature general atlas. The 55 maps here are made up of 44 modern and 11 ancient ones and are largely engraved by William Palmer (1739-1812). William Faden (1749-1836) was a successor to the business of Thomas Jefferys (1719-71). On the death of Jefferys much of the stock was sold but his son, also Thomas Jefferys (fl.1772-76), continued in partnership with Faden. By 1776 Jefferys appears to have stepped aside leaving Faden in complete control. He is particularly noted for undertaking new surveys and for publishing foreign works in England. There were four later editions of the atlas in [1804], 1819, 1821, and 1836. Provenance: early manuscript inscription inside front cover of ‘Eliza Darly’; Dumont Maps and Books 2007; Clive A Burden Ltd. Catalogue 2, item 11; private English collection. ODNB; Shirley (2004) T.Fad 5a; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).