Advertisements For the unexperienced Planters of New-England, or any where. Or, The Path-way to experience to erect a Plantation.... London: Printed by John Haviland, sold by Robert Milbourne, 1631.
A-F⁴. [8], 40 pp. Woodcut coats of arms and initials. Folding engraved map: New England, printed by James Reeves, 302 x 350 mm. 4to (175 x 128 mm). Modern full green calf gilt, old gilt edges. Custom full green morocco solander box. Even toning, D4 with headlines nearly shaved, map sized on verso with expert repair to fold intersections, to outer edge and to a 4 1/2" closed tear near stub.

FIRST EDITION OF JOHN SMITH'S RARE FINAL WORK, a tract urging colonization and completing his history of the New England plantation through 1630. Church calls it his best production from a literary point of view.
The highly important map of Massachusetts is present here in its 9th state (with arms of the Council of New England added at center). This map first appeared in Smith's Description of New England, 1616. It is considered the first accurate depiction of the Massachusetts coastline and one of the first important maps of New England cartography.
Of an inherently ephemeral nature, this treatise is understandably rare. The present is one of two copies to appear in the auction records in the last generation. European Americana 631/101; Church 419; Sabin 82815; STC 22787.
Acquisition: Laird Park sale, Sotheby's New York, Nov 29, 2000, lot 330, $46,750.