This map has it's origins in the 1820's, when John Cary and his sons first published Cary's Improved Map of England and Wales, a set of 65 sectional maps covering England and Wales at the scale of 2 miles to the inch. The Carys may have followed OS maps where available, but for the northern half of the country especially they had to rely on their own and others' detailed survey work. In 1844 George Cruchley purchased the Carys' stock of printing plates, and, after changing titles and imprints, continued to issue his own maps and atlases from these plates, including this series. Cruchley's only significant amendment was the addition of the railways, and the maps must have been frequently updated to show the fast growing railway network. A switch to printing from lithographic transfers rather than the original copper plates would have made this somewhat easier. Cruchley sold the maps individually under the title "Reduced Ordnance Map of England and Wales", but was also happy to adapt the series to other commercial opportunities, as with this example. The map is actually composed of 4 "Cary" sheets - numbers 43,44,48 and 49, still using the original Cary numbering. The coverage encompasses Kirkby Lonsdale, Hunmanby, Lincoln, and Middlewich - I'e the west Riding of Yorks. with parts of the North and East Ridings and of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire and Lancashre. Cruchley's name does not appear on the map, but a pasted-on printed label at the centre top gives the title "Map of 40 Miles Round Leeds" and the name of John Lennox, 40 Commercial Street, Leeds. Lennox was a wholesale and retail stationer and printer, and presumably approached Cruchley to provide him with this specially adapted map for local sale. It is dissected into 32 linen-backed segments, folding into boards covered in black leather, gilt, and is in attractive original hand-colouring. There is no date, and although I have seen other examples attributed to 1865, it could be earlier.
In 1844 George Cruchley purchased G. and C. Cary's stock of printing plates, and set about changing the titles and imprints to continue their productive life under his own name. Whereas the Carys had used intaglio printing, Cruchley turned to the fast growing method of printing by lithographic transfer, which offered greater flexibility in making quick changes. Cary's New and Correct English Atlas, first published in 1787, was now relaunched in 1863 as Cruchley's County Atlas of England & Wales. The atlas title page and the titles of individual maps placed great stress upon the inclusion of railways and stations, as to be seen to be keeping pace with the fast growing national railway network was a marketing necessity. This example dates from this 1863 issue after which the map title was changed for later issues of the atlas up to at least 1876.
In 1844 George Cruchley purchased G. and C. Cary's stock of printing plates, and set about changing the titles and imprints to continue their productive life under his own name. Whereas the Carys had used intaglio printing, Cruchley turned to the fast growing method of printing by lithographic transfer, which offered greater flexibility in making quick changes. Cary's New and Correct English Atlas, first published in 1787, was now relaunched in 1863 as Cruchley's County Atlas of England & Wales. There were a number of further issues of the atlas up to at least 1876. Old repairs to centrefold tears leaving some brown marks.