The Ancient World. Originally published 1763 in Paris (as dated in the cartouche) J.B.B. d'Anville's map of "The World as known to the Ancients", was included in various composite atlases, compiled to individual customers' requirements. The plate later passed to the publishers Laurie & Whittle in London, who in 1795 re-issued the map in their Complete Body of Ancient Geography. This example is from this latter issue. D'Anville's map was used as the source or model for similar maps in many 19th century atlases of ancient geography.
B.R. Davies Maps of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge 1840 or 1844
Constantinople. The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge is an excellent example of marketing to the Victorian public's drive for self-education and improvement. Over it's lifetime the socity's publications contained a large number of maps, initially published in partwork, and in 1844 as a collected 2 volume work, titled as indicated. Publication was by Chapman & Hall, who worked closely with the Socity for many years and published most of its output. This detailed town plan of Constantinople was engraved by Benjamin Rees Davies after a drawing by Hellert.
USA - Maine. Original colour.
USA - New England. This double-page map covers the states of New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Coloured.
China. This map was drawn and engraved by W. Hughes for the firm of A.& C. Black and would have appeared in one of their world atlases. It is dated 1842, the year that Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britian by China, and this is marked by the inclusion of a small inset map showing little more than the outline of Hong Kong. The cartographer has indicated the sources used - the early Jesuit surveys of China for the mainland, and British naval surveys for the coastline. Original outline colour.
Author not known. Publication unknown c1765
China - Guangdong Province. From 1708-17 Jesuit missionaries in China were tasked by the emperor with surveying the country. Their work was subsequently published by the French cartographer d'Anville, firstly in a 1735 work on China by du Halde, and then in his own Nouvel Atlas de la Chine of 1737. This map is clearly based on the map of Guandong Province by d'Anville from this atlas. It was engraved by G. Child and attests to its Jesuit origin with the the inscription that it was "drawn on the spot by the Peres de Tartre and Cordoso in the year 1714". Although I have yet to trace the publication from which it comes, I would tentatively date it to the late 1760's. This is based on the dedication to Thomas Medlicott MP for Milbourne Port. There were 2 Thomas Medlicott's who served as MP for this Somerset borough. The more likely is the second, who was born Thomas Hutchings, but who adopted the Medlicott family name in 1765. An uncommon map.
China. An interesting map in original outline colour.
V. Levasseur Atlas Classique Universel de Geographie Ancienne et Moderne 1835-50
China. This Atlas was first published in Paris by the Societe Nationale in 1835, with at least three later re-issues by Didier between 1840 and 1850. Victor Levasseur was active as a cartographer and engraver in Paris around 1840-55. He is best known for his decorative Atlas National Illustre, covering the 86 French Departements. Probably original colour.
S.D.U.K. Source Publication Unknown 1843
China. Engraved by J. & C. Walker and published by Chapman and Hall for the SDUK (Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge), this map marks Hong Kong just one year after the British took it over. Cartography of the interior is based on earlier mapping by de Halde. An unobtrusive library blind stamp to the bottom right corner.
W. Blaeu Theatrum Orbis Terrarum c1633-55
France - Nevers. This map of the province of Nevers appears in editions of Blaeu's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum from about 1633. It was probably copied from a very similar map bearing the imprint of Henry Hondius, although it may be posiible that Willem Blaeu bought the copperplate from Jodocus Hondiu's estate on his death in 1629. If the latter is true Henry Hondius map is a copy from that published by Blaeu.The map is titled Nivernium Ducatus, Gallice Duche de Nevers. Original colour. Slightly toned.
Russia in Europe. The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of European Russia is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour.
Germany. The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of Germany is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour.
Asia. The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of Asia is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour. An unobtrsive repair to a short internal tear 1cm long.
India and the Birman Empire. The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of India and Burma is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour. Repairs to upper and lower centrefold tears without loss.
Switzerland. The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour.
Southern Italy. The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour. Minor repairs to top amd bottom centrefold tears, not affecting the printed image.
East Indies. The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour.
Asia Minor (Turkey, Cyprus and North-West Syria). The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour. A small repair to a lower cetrefold tear, without loss.
Persia with a part of Cabul (I.e. Iran & Afghanistan). The Arrowsmiths were an important family of mapmakers in the first half of the 18th century. The business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith senior, carried on after his death in 1823 by his sons Aaron junior and Samuel, and subsequently from 1839 by his nephew John. Their Atlas of Modern Geography was intended primarily for the use of schools. I have been unable to trace its first publication date but editions of 1832 and 1835 have been recorded. This map of is from an edition of 1840 - one of the first works on which John Arrowsmith is accredited as publisher after his purchase of the business from Samuel the previous year. Original outline colour. A small repair to a lower centrefold repair, without loss.