A unique set of historical circumstances, an unrepeatable human team and extraordinary technical competence produced this exceptional work, of which very few copies have survived to this day.
Our second volume was published in London in 1778, in the midst of the American Revolutionary War, just two years after the thirteen Colonies declared their secession from Great Britain. In contrast, our first volume is dated 1784, the year the Treaty of Paris was ratified and independence was recognized. The first territories that made up the United States of America are precisely those covered in this work.
However, these are not land maps, but rather a navigational chart of the entire North American east coast, from Newfoundland to the West Indies, compiled by Captain and explorer James Cook (1728–1779), along with other cartographers such as Michael Lane, Joseph Gilbert, John Gascoigne, Joshua Fisher, and Jacob Blamey. The 36 maps were engraved on copper plates by geographer Thomas Jefferys (1719–1711). Printing took place in London at the renowned Fleet Street printing house of Robert Sayer (1725–1794), who was associated with John Bennett during those years. Among the most notable publications from Sayer's press were the works of mathematician and cartographer Samuel Dunn, the almost complete reproduction of Hogarth's paintings, and, of course, *The North American Pilot*, first printed in 1775.
When The North American Pilot came into our possession, the most serious alteration in both volumes was a severe deterioration of the binding that jeopardized the integrity of the work. Inside, the thread and cords of the sewing were broken, and the cardboard boards showed tears and paper loss. Externally, the broken cords had caused the cardboard boards to detach from the spine. The leather covering the spine and corners was badly eroded or missing entirely, and was beyond repair. The title label of Volume II had completely disappeared, as had the four headbands, while the title label of Volume I was partially preserved.
The book itself was generally dirty, with tears and paper loss, especially at the edges and corners. Handling of the maps had caused improper folding and tearing.
