Eastern Hemisphere very decorative antique map by Tallis c1851  E-mail this product to a friend

Finely engraved map of the Eastern Hemisphere. Undoubtedly the most intricate and beautiful map of the Eastern Hemisphere ever to be published.

Tallis maps were adorned with small views depicting the cities, native fauna or people of the area. This map has engraved subjects completely surrounding each sphere, separated and further adorned by the intertwining of vines.

This is a hand-coloured steel-engraved map published for Tallis's General Atlas circa 1851-3. Tallis and Company establishedtheir reputation in both London and New York as publishers of highquality books and grand atlases, by illustrating them with fine steelengravings, and embellishing each with small engraved "vignettes".Their maps were surrounded by finely engraved borders, and smallengravings of important cities, native flora, fauna and people.

The publishing firm of Tallis flourished from 1835 to 1860. Their maps were among the last decorative maps published, as this extralabour-intensive skilled work added to the cost of production. With contemporary hand-colour and marking of the steamship route around the world, theelaborate engraving has been hand-tinted with watercolour at a later date, whichcertainly adds to its decorative appeal.

Map size: 28 x 36cm (11 x 14 inches).