Mante, Thomas | First edition, "the best contemporary account of this war" (Howes)

Mante, Thomas

The History of the Late War in North-America, and the Islands of the West-Indies, including the campaigns of MDCCLXIII and MDCCLXIV against His Majesty's enemies. London: Printed for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1772 

4to (280 x 224 mm). Errata, 18 folding engraved maps and plans; some ofsetting and foxing, particularly to map 6, a few small reinforcements on versos, title of map 9 cropped at head, map 11 shaved at top. Twentieth-century red morocco gilt, gilt inner dentelles, top edges gilt, by Worsford. 

First edition, "the best contemporary account of this war" (Howes). Thomas Mante was an engineer during the siege of Havana and Major of a brigade in the campaign of 1764. Of the French and Indian War in North America, Mante provides a detailed account of the Braddock campaign, other frontier campaigns under Washington (including his 1753 escape from assassination by his Indian interpreter and guide), Amherst, Bradstreet, Bouquet, and other Canadian campaigns.

The history begins with the encroachment of the French in 1754 and concludes with the Treaty of Peace in 1763, followed by a narrative of the campaigns against the Indians in 1763–1764. The maps have been regarded as by far the best that relate to the war; they include several seminal maps ("Sketch of the Cherokee Country" and others) which are superior to any produced hitherto. "It is probable that but few were printed, though the large and beautiful plans and military maps (which give it so great a value) must have made it a work of great expense" (Sabin).

Scarce, only six copies have appeared at auction since 1978.

PROVENANCE

Christie's New York (19 May 2011, Lot 113)

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 45; Church 1092; Field 1003; Howes M267; Sabin 44396; Streeter 1031; Struggle for North America 81