Copperplate

Aberdeenshire : 4 items

Maps

W. Hughes    The National Gazetteer 1868-86
£15
30.5 x 25cm


First published in parts between 1863 and 1868, the completed National Gazetteer went on sale from 1868. The maps, which are produced by litho transfer from an intaglio plate, are amongst the earliest to feature printed colour. There were a number of later editions (some under different titles) up to 1886. Colouring became more sophisticated on these later editions. The Scottish maps tend to cover several counties - in this case Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Elgin, Nairn and Kincardine. This example probably dates from the issue of 1886.
Ref: ABD 001
 

Topographical prints - other areas

A. Hogg G.A. Walpoole    The New British Traveller 1784
£15
33.5 x 22cm


Aberdeen. 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 c1783, and then as a complete work from 1784. Aberdeen has been an important centre since the 12th century when it received its Royal Burgh status from King David I. Its trade rosperd and it later bacame the site of one of the country's oldest universities in 1495. By the time this print was taken its economy rested mainly upon fishing, paper-making, textiles and ship building. The town suffered at the hands of both parties during the 14th century wars of independence, but recovered, and was subsequently strongly fortified, only to be plundered by both sides in the in 1640's wars of the 3 kingdoms (the civil war). Today it is Scotland's 3rd largest city, with a booming oil-based economy. This print has a small area of worm damage, just impinging the bottom-left hand corner.
Ref: TOP 130
 
A. Hogg H. Boswell    The Antiquities of England and Wales c1787-9
£9
18.5 x 14.5cm


Aberdeenshire - Braemar 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 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. The present Braemar Castle was built in 1628 by John Erskine, 18th Lord of Mar, on the site of a previous fortification. In 1716 it was forfeited to the Crown after then then Earl of Mar's support for the first Jacobean uprising of 1715. The castle was badly damaged in the revolt, but was bought with its estate by John Farquarson, 9th Laird of Invercauld. Between 1748 and 1831 it was leased to the Government and housed a garrison of troops, but was then restored to the family and became a comfortable family home. Today the family lease the house to a local, community charity, who open it to the public. This print was engraved by Barclay.
Ref: TOP 442
 
Author not known.   Picturesque Europe c1876/7
£8
16.5 x 24cm


Aberdeenshire - A River Scene Near Braemar,. Picturesque Europe was a serialised patwork, 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, engraved by J.W. Whymper after a drawing by P. Skelton, gives a romantic view of Highland scenery near Braemar. The river shown looks too small to be the Dee, but may be the River Clunie, a tributary of the Dee on the banks of which the two independent hamlets stood, which became known as Braemar from about 1870. The area became very popular for tourism after Prince Albert's purchase of the Balmoral estate in 1852, and the construction of today's Balmoral Castle, completed in 1856.
Ref: TOP 221