Laurie and Whittle. England and Wales antique map c1794

by Laurie & Whittle

England and Wales superb Laurie and Whittle map.

A New and Compendious Map of England and Wales, wherein all the Great, Direct and Cross Roads are carefully inserted: Compiled from The Modern Surveys, By Thomas Jefferys, Geographer to the King, and Revised, Corrected and Improved, By Samuel Dunn, Mathematician. London: Published by Laurie & Whittle, No 53, Fleet Street, as the Act directs. 12th May 1794.

Thomas Jefferys (1719-1771) was trained as a cartographer by mapmaker to George II of England and Louis XV of France, Emanuel Bowen (1694?-1767). This is a superb original copperplate-engraved map with contemporary hand-colour. Published in London circa 1794 for “A New and Elegant Imperial Sheet Atlas” by Robert Laurie and James Whittle. Published on thick paper, with Laurie and Whittle distinctive and very retty softly-coloured wash and outlining of each region, and coloured wash to the coastline, and cartouche (title piece).

Robert Laurie (born c1755 - died 1836) gained a fine reputation as both map engraver and publisher. He invented a method of printing mezzotint engravings in colour, which provided an incomparable finish to his grand maps. Robert Sayer published most of his work until Laurie joined partnership with James Whittle (c1757-1818) in 1794. Laurie and Whittle acquired Sayer's business at no. 53 Fleet Street in London. Laurie and Whittle published a large number of Land and Marine atlases, and styled themselves “Chart-Sellers to the Admiralty”. Their maps were well-regarded for the quality of the scientific accuracy as well as their grand presentation.

It is difficult to obtain a good image of this large map. It has really beautiful contemporary colour with pale green ocean. Please email sales@antiqueprintclub.com if you would like to see the quality of colour and printing. It is a wonderful cartouche and a beautiful large map on thick paper. This map has slight extremity tears which have been reinforced. Hence the reduced price.There is a central horizontal fold. To the map border measures 550 x 448mm ( 21 5/8 x 17 5/8 inches). Paper size 73 x 53cm (28.3/4 x 20.7/8 inches).