Decorative map. Part of South Australia. Tallis antique map c1853

by John Tallis & Company

Original Tallis antique map of South Australia c1853, with vignettes of Adelaide, Dingo or Australian Dog, Nymphicus (parrot), Natives on a Catamaran (raft), and the Seal of South Australia. This is a wonderful map with geographical notations and tracks of explorer Edward John Eyre (1815-1901).

This is the most decorative map ever published of South Australia. It is in its original published state, with watercolour wash and red pen along the coastline, counties delineated with coloured pens, and mining districts marked with red dots. The map has the usual intricately-engraved border and vignettes of cities, native, fauna and people, for which Tallis and Company were renowned. It was published for Tallis's General Atlas circa 1853. The firm of Tallis flourished between 1835 and 1860 as publishers of beautiful steel-engraved maps and prints. Tallis maps were among the last decorative maps published, as this extra labour-intensive skilled work added to the time and cost of production.

This map has a central horizontal fold, and was cropped a little into the swirls engraved at the top of the cartouche, to fit a publication half the size of the map. Otherwise this map is in good condition. Paper size: 352 x 270mm (13 3/4 x 10 5/8 inches).