THE GENERAL GAZETTEER: Or, Compendious Geographical Dictionary

London: J. Newbery, 1762. Containing a description of all the empires, kingdoms, states, republics, provinces, cities, chief towns, forts, fortresses, castles, citadels, seas, harbours, bays, rivers, lakes, mountains, capes, and promontories in the known world; together with the government, policy, customs, manners, and religion of the inhabitants. The extent, bounds, and natural productions of each country; and the trade, manufactures, and curiosities of the cities and towns; their longitude, bearing and distances in English miles from remarkable places; as also the sieges they have undergone, and the battles that have been fought near them, down to this present year. Including an authentic account of the counties, cities, and market-towns in England and Wales; as also the villages with fairs, the days on which they are kept according to the new stile; as well as the cattle, goods, and merchandizes that are sold thereat. Pp. viii+xxxii+[732], printed double column, 9 folding maps, head & tailpiece decorations, errata & addenda sheet at end; early polished calf, the spine ruled in gilt with gilt lettered red morocco title label, boards with double gilt rule border, lightly scuffed and rubbed, edges and spine worn, the upper joint cracking, spine slightly chipped at extremities; all edges sprinkled red; hinges cracked, armorial bookplate of Sir Edward Blackett on upper pastedown, later owner's bookplate on upper free endpaper, the upper free endpaper and title page almost completely detached, scattered light foxing, soiling, and minor wear & tear (including a marginal paper repair and a few small edge chips or splits); printed for J. Newbery, London, 1762. First edition. *Dr. Richard Brookes (c.1695-c.1766) was the compiler of numerous works on medicine, surgery, natural history, and geography, most of which were reprinted several times. The General Gazetteer, his most popular work, went through at least 18 editions. The first folding map (of the world) includes a partial coastline of New Holland. Sir Edward Blackett (1719-1804), MP, was High Sheriff of Northumberland from 1757 to1758.