John Speed's maps of the English and Welsh counties are amongst the most decorative of early, British cartographic work, and are eagerly sought after today. They were first published in 1612 in The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, designed as a companion volume to Speed's History of Great Britaine. The maps were based on the earlier surveys of Saxton, Norden and a few others, with engraving contracted to Jodocus Hondius whose signature appears on 33 of the maps. Speed's greatest innovation was the inclusion of inset plans of major towns and cities. Although some were copied from earlier work, for many towns this was first plan ever published. Speed's county atlas was re-issued a number of times for a period of around 160 years, with new publishers making various small changes and updates to the maps over time. This example bears the imprint of Henry Overton, who probably acquired the Speed plates in c 1713. Imprints began to be changed from c 1716, all being revised by c 1720. The maps were issued as a complete Speed atlas under the title indicated, but also used with other stock in the collation of "made-up" county atlases. the Speed plates were acquired by Dicey by 1754 when again issued with his imprint. Repair to centrefold.

This map was first published in the November 1749 edition of the London Magazine, which between 1747 and 1754 issued a complete set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin. The maps were later re-published by Alexander Hogg in Boswell's Antiquities of England & Wales, initially in partwork from c 1787-9, and then in several complete editions of the work up to 1798. This example of the Kent map is from the first complete edition of Boswell's Antiquities dating from c1789.

John Aikin (or Aiken) wrote this topographical work for children in order "to make my young countrymen better acquainted than they are usually found to be with their native land". The first edition of 1788 did not include county maps, but these were added for the second edition of 1790, from which this example comes. The work was published by Joseph Johnson, but the maps are unsigned. There were four later editions of the book with the maps, and one without. The Kent map is fairly simple, befitting the needs of its target audience. Modern hand colouring. Supplied mounted and with the original, accompanying text pages from the work.

This detailed and well engraved map was one of a set first published around 1812-14 by Robert Rowe, who was probably also their draftsman and engraver. The maps were initially sold singly in folding format until their collective issue in 1816 as The English Atlas. The plates were later acquired by Henry Teesdale, who amended titles and imprints and re-issued the work as the New British Atlas in 1829, with several re-issues up to 1842. The plates were later acquired and used by H.G. Collins and then by G. Philip and Son, who both used them as the base for lithographic transfers for a variety of works up to c1860. This example is from the 1830 second edition of Teesdale's atlas. Original wash colour. A few short, repaired, marginal tears, not affecting the printed image.

This work was published in 1835 as a companion volume to Lewis's Topographic Dictionary. It contains county and borough maps, drawn by R. Creighton and engaved by J.& C. Walker, and was designed to show the electoral and boundary changes effected by the 1832 Reform Act. There were 2 issues of the work in 1835 and 1840, this example of the county map being from the 1835 first edition. Original outline colour.

Thomas Moule's antiquarian leanings are evident in this series of highly decorative county maps - a stylistic throwback in an age when cartographic work had become much plainer and more utilitarian. The maps were engraved by W. Smollinger, J. Bingley and J. Dower, and first appeared in Moule's English Counties Delineated, a partwork with text issued from 1830-32. They were subsequently made available as a complete work in 1837 under the same title, and were later re-issued in Barclay's Universal English Dictionary between 1842 and 1852. This latter work ran to several editions and the maps were often updated between editions to show the latest growth of the railway network. This example in modern colour is from the 1852 edition of Barclay's Dictionary. It is supplied mounted and ready for framing.

The Walker's British Atlas was first issued in 1837, and ran to many subsequent editions with frequent updates to railways and other information. This example is from the editions of 1854 or 1856 - so dated from the railways shown, the publisher's imprints, and the population figures quoted. Full wash colour.

Camden's Britannia - a history and topography of Britain - was first published in 1586 and had a long and successful publication history. County maps by Kip and Hole were addded in 1607, and these also appeared in the editions of 1610 and 1637. Over 50 year's later it was decided to issue a new and updated edition. The original Latin text was re-translated by Edmund Gibson, and Robert Morden was commissioned to provide a new set of county and general maps in a more modern style. The revised work was issued in 1695. There were 4 further editions of the Gibson/Morden work, the last in 1772, before a further updated version by Richard Gough was launched in 1789, with new maps by John Cary. This attractively coloured example is from one of the Gibson editions and comes in a modern light brown frame.

Jacques Nicholas Bellin spent over 50 years working for the French Hydrographic Service. He was commissioned to produce new surveys of coastal waters throughout the world, and produced a large number of attractive charts of high quality. These appeared in various editions of his several published works, and were also often sold individually. This chart entitled "Carte du Compte de Kent et du Pas de Calais" is dated 1759, and shows full inland details of Kent, and the western parts of Sussex and Surrey, together with detail of the Picardy coast from Dunkerque to Etaples.

James Wallis's New British Atlas was first published in 1813 by S.A. Oddy. There was a second edition in 1816. This example is from the first edition and is dated 1812 on the imprint. It is in attractive, original, full wash colour, and in good condition.

The title page of Murray's county atlas states that the maps were "Projected on the basis of the Trigonometrical Survey by order of the hon.ble The Board of Ordnance, under the superindendance of T.L. Murray". This might seem to imply the project had at least the official blessing, if not the active involvement of the Ordnance Survey, but is more likely to be a marketing puff. D. Hodson has suggested that the maps were copied from those of William Ebden published from 1825-8, both sets also being engraved by the same firm of Hoare & Reeves. Murray's Atlas was first published in 1830, with second and third editions in 1831 and 1832, the latter with the adddition of electoral data. by 1838 the plates had been acquired by W. Robson & Co. who published and sold the maps individually, and also used them in their commercial directories. This example is from the first edition of 1830. Original colour.

These maps (without the decorative borders) were first issued in 1821 in Miller's New Miniature Atlas. The plates were later acquired by William Darton who re-issued them as a miniature atlas, but also used the maps, now further embellished by country scenes, in this children's work. Reuben Ramble is an invented character. Original colour to the illustrations.

Blome's smaller series of county maps have a puzzling history. They seem to have been initiated before his larger maps for Britannia, but were not published until 1681 when they appeared under the title Speed's Maps Epitomiz'd. Blome re-issued them twice before his death in 1705. The plates were subsequently acquired by Thomas Taylor who brought out a new edition in 1715 titled England Exactly Described. There were further editions in 1715 (by Taylor), and in c1731 (by Thomas Bakewell). These later editions had roads added to the maps. This example of the map of the county of Kent is from the 1715 edition of the work. Original hand colour.

This map first appeared in the October 1756 number of Benjamin Martin's General Magazine of Arts and Sciences, a monthly partwork which between 1755 and 1762 included a series of county maps. The magazine's format was novel, each issue covering 5 (later 6) subject areas. The intention was that all those parts relating to any one subject could later be rebound into subject volumes, for which individual title pages would be issued. In 1763 title pages for a two volume set were issued for those parts relating to natural history. Subscribers could then, if so desired, rebind their original partworks, and new purchasers could purchase the completed work under the title, The Natural History of England. There were no later re-issues and the maps are today not common.

Foots Cray Place and Hayes Place. The New British Traveller was one of a number of publications by Alexander Hogg aiming to tap the bouyant market for works on British topography and antiquities. It included text on each couny, a set of county maps by T. Conder and others, and numerous copperplate prints by a variety of engravers. The work was initially issued in 60 parts from c 1783, and then as a complete work from 1784. Foots Cray Place, near Sidcup, was built in 1754 for Bourchier Cleve. The property was ravaged by fire in 1949, and demolished the following year. Hayes Place was the home of the elder and younger Pitt, who both became Prime Minister. The property was bought by Pitt the elder in 1754 and remodelled. Later owners demolished the house in 1933 for redevelopment. The print was a waterstain to the top-right border, and some marginal foxing. Both faults would be hidden by judicious mounting.

Canterbury. The New British Traveller was one of a number of publications by Alexander Hogg aiming to tap the bouyant market for works on British topography and antiquities. It included text on each couny, a set of county maps by T. Conder and others, and numerous copperplate prints by a variety of engravers. The work was initially issued in 60 parts from c 1783, and then as a complete work from 1784. Some foxing and worm holes to the margins of the print, which could be hidden by judicious mounting.

Barfreston Church. The Antiquities of England and Wales was the product of Alexander Hogg who was well known as a partwork publisher. Under the claimed authorship of Henry Boswell it was issued serially from c1787-9, and subsequently made available as a complete work. The format was typically two (though sometimes up to 6) prints to a page, with one or two accompanying pages of descriptive text on each pair of subjects. It also included the set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin first used in the London Magazine from 1747-54. Barfreston is a small village between Canterbury and Dover, which has as its parish church, one of the best preserved Norman churches in England. It dates from the 12th century, and is too small to have its own belltower, this difficiency being remedied by hanging the bell ina nearby yew tree and ringing it from within the church by a series of levers. This print was engraved by Peltre.

Dover Castle. The Antiquities of England and Wales was the product of Alexander Hogg who was well known as a partwork publisher. Under the claimed authorship of Henry Boswell it was issued serially from c1787-9, and subsequently made available as a complete work. The format was typically two (though sometimes up to 6) prints to a page, with one or two accompanying pages of descriptive text on each pair of subjects. It also included the set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin first used in the London Magazine from 1747-54. Dover Castle stands on a site used by the pre-Roman Belgic tribe and by the Romans themselves, who buily a lighthouse there, the remains of which can still be seen. A wood castle was built there by William the Conqueror, which was rebuilt in stone and extended in the 12th century. Having successfully survived the civil war intact, the castle was further extended and refortified in the late 1700's in fear of a Naploeonic invasion which never came. In World War ii it was an important command centre. Today the site is owned by English Heritage with public access. This print offers two views engraved by Lowry, and is supplied with the original, accompanying text from the work.

Canterbury - St. Augustine's Monastery & the City Walls. The Antiquities of England and Wales was the product of Alexander Hogg who was well known as a partwork publisher. Under the claimed authorship of Henry Boswell it was issued serially from c1787-9, and subsequently made available as a complete work. The format was typically 2 (though sometimes up to 6) prints to a page, with one or two accompanying pages of descriptive text on each pair of subjects. It also included the set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin first used in the London Magazine from 1747-54. St. Augustine's Abbey was a Benedictine foundation dating back to 598 AD. After the dissolution of the monasteries it fell into decay. Part of the surviving ruins were incorporated into King's College School, with the other remains maintained by English Heritage who open them to the public. Canterbury's city walls rest on Roman foundations, and were rebuilt with new stone between c1378 and 1405, with 24 towers and 6 gates. Today only Westgate and about half the original length of the walls survives, much of which can be walked. This print, engraved by Goldar, offers 2 views, and is supplied with the original, accompanying text and a plan of the monastery.

Bradsole Abbey. The Antiquities of England and Wales was the product of Alexander Hogg who was well known as a partwork publisher. Under the claimed authorship of Henry Boswell it was issued serially from c1787-9, and subsequently made available as a complete work. The format was typically 2 (though sometimes up to 6) prints to a page, with one or two accompanying pages of descriptive text on each pair of subjects. It also included the set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin first used in the London Magazine from 1747-54. St. Radigund's Abbey at Bradsole was founded in 1191 as a Premonstratensian religious house, a few miles from Dover. Today the gateway is still mostly intact, and a few other surviving ruins have been incorporated into the farmhouse which occupies the site. This print was engraved by Goldar. A few light, marginal spots.

St. Mary's and All Saints' College, Maidstone. The Antiquities of England and Wales was the product of Alexander Hogg who was well known as a partwork publisher. Under the claimed authorship of Henry Boswell it was issued serially from c1787-9, and subsequently made available as a complete work. The format was typically 2 (though sometimes up to 6) prints to a page, with one or two accompanying pages of descriptive text on each pair of subjects. It also included the set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin first used in the London Magazine from 1747-54. St. Mary's and All Saints is today the parish church of Maidstone. It was built bewteen 1396-8, and is one of the finest perpendicular churches in the country. It was founded together with an ecclesiatical college which closed in 1546. Part of the college buildings were demolished in the 19th century, but some important buildings remain and are today owned by Maidstone Borough Council. This print, engraved by Taylor, is supplied with the original, accompanying text from the work.

Foots-Cray Place, Sidcup. The Antiquities of England and Wales was the product of Alexander Hogg who was well known as a partwork publisher. Under the claimed authorship of Henry Boswell it was issued serially from c1787-9, and subsequently made available as a complete work. The format was typically 2 (though sometimes up to 6) prints to a page, with one or two accompanying pages of descriptive text on each pair of subjects. It also included the set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin first used in the London Magazine from 1747-54. Foots Cray Place, near Sidcup, was a Palladian mansion built in 1754 for Bourchier Cleve. The property was ravaged by fire in 1949, and demolished the following year.

Lyme Castle, Leighbourn Castle, Leeds, Castle, the Old Church at Dover Castle, Faversham Abbey, & the Mote Bulwark at Dover.. The Antiquities of England and Wales was the product of Alexander Hogg who was well known as a partwork publisher. Under the claimed authorship of Henry Boswell it was issued serially from c1787-9, and subsequently made available as a complete work. The format was typically 2 (though sometimes up to 6) prints to a page, with one or two accompanying pages of descriptive text on each pair of subjects. It also included the set of English county maps by Thomas Kitchin first used in the London Magazine from 1747-54. This anonymous print offers 6 views on 1 sheet, all of Kentish interest, and is supplied with the original accompanying text pages from the work.

At Coney Hill, Hayes Common, Kent. Picturesque Europe was a serialised partwork, designed as a showcase for steel and wood engravings after and by significant artists of the day. The 60 parts were published monthly from 1875 to 1880.When sets of parts were completed, they were also sold as complete volumes, building to a full 5-volume set, 2 volumes of which were devoted to the British Isles.This wood-cut print shows a view on Hayes Common, a 79 hectare open space now in the London Borough of Bromley. Hayes Common was the first common to be given protection from enclosure and development under the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866. This print bears a signature which is unfortunately hard to decipher - possibly Yetell? It appeared in part 6 of the work in 1875/6.