Picture of Baltimore, Containing A Description of All Objects of Interest in the City: and Embellished With Views of the Principal Public Buildings by [Latrobe, John H. B.] - 1832

Baltimore: Fielding Lucas, Jun'r, 1832. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. This scarce book on the history and development of Baltimore is an important and engrossing piece of Americana. It provides detailed information on the geography, topography, government, civic and religious institutions, and much more about Baltimore as it existed early in the 19th century. The detail extends even to providing the names of the current officers, proprietors, and holders of other positions. There are forty-two engraved plates of various buildings, structures, and monuments. The book also still has the very uncommon fold-out map in the rear. John H. B. Latrobe (1803-1891) was an American lawyer, writer, architect and inventor. Latrobe was also a member of the American Colonization Society, and succeeded Sen. Henry Clay as its president (1853-1890). He also helped found the American Bar Association and the Maryland Historical Society. Latrobe also achieved some distinction as a poet and painter, and was one of the 3-judge panel that awarded Edgar Allan Poe a prize for his "Manuscript in a Bottle", which was published in Baltimore's Sunday Visitor paper and helped launch the writer's career. The publisher, Fielding Lucas Jr.,(1781-1854) was a cartographer, artist and a publisher of prominence during the early 19th century. He is known as the earliest successful commercial map-publisher in the city of Baltimore. The first of his atlases was published in 1815-17. His maps and atlases are still highly collectible today. Bound in contemporary quarter brown leather with brown marbled paper boards. Gilt title and ruling to the rebacked spine. Some scuffing bumping and soiling but still very good. Interior pages and plates have light foxing otherwise very good condition. The fragile map is intact. An exceptional copy of this book. 3.25 x 5.5 inches. 249 pages + plates. BALT/072618.