Lot 35: DES BARRES, JOSEPH FREDERICK WALLET. 1722-1824. A Sketch of the Operations of His Majesty's Fleet and Army under the Command of Vice Admiral the Rt. Hble. Lord Viscount Howe and Genl. Sr. Wm. Howe, K. B. in 1776. [London]: Des Barres, 1777.

DES BARRES, JOSEPH FREDERICK WALLET. 1722-1824.
A Sketch of the Operations of His Majesty's Fleet and Army under the Command of Vice Admiral the Rt. Hble. Lord Viscount Howe and Genl. Sr. Wm. Howe, K. B. in 1776. [London]: Des Barres, 1777.
Hand-colored copper-engraved and etched map with aquatint, 825 x 600 mm. Some soiling to margins, several long but expertly repaired closed tears.

AN ICONIC MAP OF NEW YORK DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Des Barres' "sketch" depicts the entire field of action for the latter half of 1776 in the battle for control of New York City and the Hudson River. Troop positions and strengths, fortifications and battle sites, as well as topographical details, roads, towns, and houses are recorded in detail; shoals, banks, soundings, and warships round out the nautical areas of the map. On the left-hand side Des Barres includes a legend chronicling the major events of the Revolution from the initial British invasion up to the battle at Fort Washington. "One of the greatest of the 'Atlantic Neptune' charts, with the best topographical information on the lower Hudson River valley, western Long Island and Staten Island" (Nebenzahl). This is the only know state. Nebenzahl 99; Seller and Van Ee 1057.