Superb antique map, India with Birman Empire, c1840.

by Smith, Charles

Pair of beautiful large antique maps of India. Antique Map of India, exhibiting its present political divisions, with a Supplement containing the Birman Empire (Myanmar). London, Chas. Smith..1840. British Possessions, Under British Protection, and Independent States are shown.

North India and south India pait of antique maps that join together to form a superb larger antique map of the whole of India - finely engraved on copperplates by Gilbert Jesser Pickett (1787-1867), and printed on man-made paper by C. Smith and hand-coloured with delicate watercolour washes (which since then have gently oxidized to the back of the paper). Charles Smith maps were renowned for their accuracy, fine quality, and stylish presentation. 

Charles Smith (1768-1852) was a London-based stationer, publisher, and map and globe-seller. From 1803 to 1862 the business was at No. 172 Strand, and from 1864 the business was at 63 Charing Cross in London. His most important publications were Smith's New English Atlas which ran for several editions from 1804 to 1845, Smith's General Atlas which was published from 1808 to 1826, Smith's Classical Atlas Containing distinct maps of the countries described in Ancient History Both Sacred and Profane (two editions, 1809 and 1820), and Smith's New General Atlas Containing Distinct Maps of all the Principal Empires, Kingdoms & States throughout the World Arranged According to the General Treaty signed in Congress at Vienna 1814-1815; with considerable additions, published from 1836 to 1840. 

Charles Smith was appointed map seller to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 1809. In 1817 he was "Mapseller Extraordinary to the Prince Regent", and by 1834 was "Mapseller Extraordinary to His Majesty" (William IV). After his son, William, joined his mapmaking business it became known as Charles Smith and Son. William Smith took over after his father's death and was joined in turn by his son, Guildford Smith (1838-1917).    

Please email sales@antiqueprintclub.com for further images of these two maps of India. They would look wonderful in one frame. Each double page (with central vertical fold) is 400 x 604mm (15 3/4 x 23 3/4 inches). To the map border of each measures 355 x 550mm (14 x 21 5/8 inches), so that if they were joined the total map border would measure 710 x 1100mm (28 x 43 1/4 inches)..