Copperplate

Herman Moll's maps of the English and Welsh counties were originally designed to illustrate the topographical work entitled A New Description of England and Wales which was first issued in 1724. The publishers (Moll himself, the Bowles brothers and C. Rivington) decided to also put them out as an atlas volume without text, which also appeared in 1724 under the title A Set of Fifty New and Correct Maps of the Counties of England and Wales. There were various later editions of both formats, the last in 1753. This example bears the plate number 5 which dates it to one of the earlier atlas editions of 1724 or 1739, or to the serialised re-issue of A New Description ... in 1733. A waterstain to the outer top margin, not affecting the image, but otherwise a good and particularly well coloured example.Supplied mounted and ready to frame.

Herman Moll's maps of the English and Welsh counties were originally designed to illustrate the topographical work entitled A New Description of England and Wales which was first issued in 1724. The publishers (Moll himself, the Bowles brothers and C. Rivington) decided to also put them out as an atlas volume without text, which also appeared in 1724 under the title A Set of Fifty New and Correct Maps of the Counties of England and Wales. There were various later editions of both formats, the last in 1753. This example bears the plate number 28 which dates it to one of the earlier atlas editions of 1724 or 1739, or to the serialised re-issue of A New Description ... in 1733. The Lincolnshire map is interesting for the tide table which takes the place of the usual Roman antiquities. Moll copied this from the Lincolnshire map drawn and engraved by Sutton Nicholls for John Overton in around 1712.

The absence of a plate number on this map suggests in emanates from the first publication of Moll's county maps together with text as A New Description of England and Wales. It was also shortly afterwards issued in atlas format, for which plate numbers were added. There were several later editions in both formats. The addition of the view of London Bridge to the Surrey map, is an interesting variation of the Roman antiquities which usually decorate the borders. Light foxing, but still an attractive copy, and priced accordingly. Mounted.

Sir Henry Chauncy's important work on Hertfordshire was published in 1700, apparently in a print run of 500 copies. Chauncy was an eminent lawyer and antiquarian. The work included this county map by Hermann Moll, and a few other town plans and views There was a much later republication of the work in 1826 (with a newly engraved county map), but this example is from the first edition of 1700. A tight right hand margin (as taken from the book), but without loss to the printed area.

Moll's set of English and Welsh county maps were first published in 1724 in two formats - with descriptive text as a topographical work, and without text as an atlas. The latter format clearly proved more popular, as later editions included maps alone. Most maps carried illustrations of local antiquities or sights outside their borders, but the map of the islands never enjoyed such embellishments, probably because it required the extra page width to accommodate the small maps of the Scilly Isles and Holy Island, beside the main map of the Isle of Wight. This example is from the editions of 1747 or1753, so identified by the change in plate numbers, the Isle of Wight etc. map now becoming plate 18 (previously plate 9).