Lot 138: DRAYTON, JOHN. 1766-1822. A View of South-Carolina, as respects her Natural and Civil Concerns. Charleston: W.P. Young, 1802.

A View of South-Carolina, as respects her Natural and Civil Concerns. Charleston: W.P. Young, 1802.
[4], 252 + [1 inserted] pp. With 3 folding engraved maps including general map hand-colored in outline; 3 engraved plates, 2 of which are folding; 2 folding letterpress tables. Inserted postscript and folding map describing Winyah Bay. 8vo (214 x 131 mm). Period tree calf, spine gilt. Occasional toning, 2 letters rubbed from C3v (fortuitously humorous), front free endpaper lacking, spine label worn and binding rubbed at extremities.

FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, ONE OF ONLY 500 PRINTED, inscribed on the copyright leaf: "Presented to Sir John Sinclair, Baronet by / The Author." Drayton was Governor of South Carolina and wrote this work shortly after he left office. In addition to the general map, the engravings include a fine view of the State House at Columbia by James Akin, a large folding plate depicting a rice winnowing machine, and a folding plan showing Winyah Bay and Georgetown that was added as a postscript as it did not appear in time for the regular print run. Streeter considers this work authoritative and it is certainly a fine early Charleston imprint. Howes D492; Sabin 20915; Streeter sale 1137; Turnbull I, p 391.
Provenance: presented by the author to Sir John Sinclair [1754-1835], the Scottish agricultural reformer and statistician.
Acquisition: Sotheby's, Dec 14, 2000, lot 153, via Maggs Bros., $10,160.