American Military Pocket Atlas; being an approved collection of

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION). SAYER, Robert; BENNETT, John. The American Military Pocket Atlas; being an approved collection of correct maps, both general and particular, of the British Colonies; especially those which now are, or probably may be the Theatre of War: Taken principally from the actual surveys and judicious observations of engineers De Brahm and Romans; Cook, Jackson, and Collett; Maj. Holland, and other officers. Titlepage, 2pp. dedication to "Gov. Pownall," 2pp. "Advertisement," 1p. "List of maps"; and six folding engraved maps, all hand-colored in outline. London: Printed for R. Sayer and J. Bennett, [1776]. Contemporary calf-backed marbled paper covered boards, some wear with minor losses to leather and marbled paper. Cellotape stains at folds of the final three maps, minor separations at some folds. Provenance: John Suetterle Taylor. Fite & Freeman, A Book of Old Maps, pp.212-16; Howes A208; Nebenzahl, Atlas of the American Revolution, pp.61-63; Phillips Atlases 1206; Rumsey, p.311. Sabin 1147; Schwartz & Ehrenberg, p.190. Streeter Sale 73; Clark I:189; Reese, Revolutionary Hundred 45. The "Holster Atlas" was issued at the suggestion of Gov. George Pownall and included the "maps that the British high command regarded as providing essential topographical information in the most convenient form" (Schwartz & Ehrenberg). This collection of maps was published by Sayer and Bennet at the beginning of the Revolution for the use of British officers. "Surveys and Topographical Charts being fit only for a Library, such maps as an Officer may take with him into the Field have been much wanted. The following Collection forms a Portable Atlas of North America, calculated in its Bulk and Price to suit the Pockets of Officers of all Ranks" (Advertisement). Although the publishers claimed the atlas would fit into an officer's pocket, it was more usually carried in a holster and thus gained its nickname. The six maps are as follows: 1) Dunn, Samuel: North America, as divided amongst the European Powers. London: printed for Robt. Sayer, Jan. 10, 1774. Engraved map, handcolored in outline, 13_ x 19 inches. 2) Dunn, Samuel A Compleat Map of the West Indies, containing the coasts of Florida, Louisiana, New Spain and Terra Firma: with all the islands. London: Robt. S.