Decorative finely-engraved North America antique map. Tallis c1851.

by John Tallis & Company

Wonderfully detailed antique map of North America c1851, with finely engraved border and vignettes of Esquimaux Dog-Sledge, Mount Hekla, Beavers, Falls of Niagara, Convoy of Diamonds, Ancient Monument Mexico, North American Indians,Wapitu Deer, and Cossacks, with contemporary coloured pen outlining of countries and states, as published by The London Printing and Publishing Company.

This is undoubtedly the most decorative little antique map of North America ever published. This steel-engraved map was drawn and engraved by J. Rapkin, with illustrations drawn by J. Marchant & engraved by J. Rogers, published circa 1854 by The London Printing and Publishing Company - a partnership of John Tallis and Ephraim Tipton Brain. Tallis maps were noted for their embellishment by decorative borders and small 'vignette' views depicting notable features within the region shown.

John Tallis was the driving force behind Tallis publications but John Rapkin was greatly responsible for the company's high reputation for publishing accurate, finely illustrated books and atlases, illustrated with the Tallis distinctive style of steel engravings. Tallis maps were among the last decorative maps published, as this extra labour-intensive skilled work added to production time and cost.

There is slight age soiling but otherwise this map is in fine condition although it was cropped a little close to the top of the cartouche and the base border, and has a horizontal centre fold (to enable inclusion in a publication half the size of the map). Page size is 355 x 270mm (approximately 14 x 10 5/8 inches).