Very rare pocket atlas of the Rhine-area between Cologne in the north and Basel, published for use by military officers and civilian travellers and based on maps prepared by Guillaume de l'Isle (1675-1725) during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). A folding map shows the entire region and identifies the separate maps. The publisher promises in the introduction that all 36 maps combined will result in a "very large map": ca. 140 x 65 cm.
The present pocket atlas, marketed for travellers, was sold ready bound and coloured, as opposed to the common practice of selling books in loose sheets. Schenk published a second edition in 1744 with several corrections and an extra map.
The British Captain George Howard (1718-1796) bought the present copy on 10 August 1743, probably at the bookshop of Philipp Heinrich Hutter in Frankfurt. Howard served in the 3rd regiment of foot ("The Buffs") under his father Thomas Howard and had just participated in the Battle of Dettingen (May 1743) during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) when he bought this atlas. He would later command the Buffs at the Battle of Fontenoy (1745) and at Falkirk Muir and Culloden (1746). After the wars he became an MP and was ultimately promoted to Field Marshal in 1793. Loosely inserted in a pocket of the atlas is a note in Howard's hand describing on one side the affairs on 10-13 August 1743 and on the other side his expenses in July and August 1743. The pocket atlas is probably noted as "a book of maps" on 11 August.
With the owner's inscription of George Howard on the paste-down and a leaf containing notes in his hand loosely inserted in the front pocket. A later slip of paper containing a manuscript title and shelfmarks is mounted on the back board. Headbands slightly worn, otherwise in very good condition. Koeman III, Sche 10; Maandelyke uitreksels; of Boekzaal der geleerde waerelt XL (April 1735), pp. 484-485; STCN (1 copy), WorldCat (5 copies).