Rare Early Folding Map of Liberia

(LIBERIA). ASHMUN, J[EHUDI]. Map of the West Coast of Africa, from Sierra Leone to Cape Palmas, including the Colony of Liberia: Compiled chiefly from the Surveys and Observations of the Late Rev. J. Ashmun. Engraved & colored map, 8" x 11," folding to 3.5" x 2." Orig. calf, stamped "Liberia," with label inside front cover, dated 1831. Very fine. Philadelphia: A. Finley, at His Map Establishment, 1831. $1,500.00

With a large inset of "Plan of the Town of Monrovia." This rare pocket map is based upon the work of Jehudi Ashmun, the great colonial agent of Liberia, who took up his work there in the autumn of1822 after Congress, in 1819, had appropriated funds to provide a station in Africa for the return of smuggled slaves rescued by revenue cutters. On his arrival Ashmun found the colony is desperate condition, wracked by fever, lacking supplies, and under threat of attack. After six months Ashmun was superceded, but upon exonoration returned to his work, remaining until his death in 1828. (See DAB for an account of this heroic period).

The period of this map saw a tremendous growth of interest in the United States in returning emancipated slaves to Africa. The new colony of Liberia seemed, from afar, a very suitable place to send them.