Tallis Australia decorative antique map - Sydney, aborigines, fauna c1851.

by John Tallis & Company

Finely engraved John Tallis antique map of Australia c1851, with later colour of engraved border and vignettes of Natives of the Bogan Tribe, Sydney, Kangaroos, Natives of Australia Felix, Australian Parrots and Cockatoo. Western Australia has 26 counties, Victoria has 24 counties, New South Wales has 46 counties, South Australia has early borders and enlarged Lake Torrens, and Victoria or Port Phillip also named Australia Felix. The map was drawn and engraved by J. Rapkin. Illustrations by J. Marchant were engraved by J.B. Allen. Published in London c1851 by John Tallis & Company.

The western border of South Australia was not extended until 1860, and the large Lake Eyre must have been recorded in the rainy season! Queensland was not separated from New South Wales until 1859. Northern Territory settlement remained a colony of New South Wales until annexed by South Australia in1863, finally attaining independence in 1911. Port Phillip was renamed Victoria and Van Diemen's Land was renamed Tasmania during the year Tallis & Co. published this map.

The distinctive Tallis style incorporates delicately engraved 'cartouche' title-pieces, borders and 'vignette' scenes relative to the subject or region depicted. Maps include important views, flora, fauna and people. As principal map engraver for Tallis & Company, John Rapkin was greatly responsible for the Company’s reputation as publishers of accurate and attractive maps which were embellished by specialist map illustrators. The fine engravings and borders were first drawn and then engraved in reverse from a mirror image. Engraving illustrations was slow and costly. In 1865 Tallis was among the last of the publishers of decorative maps and prints.

This map has repair to damage at top right and slight damage into plate across the base. (With light background these show minimally). Map page size is 265 x 370 mm (10 1/4 x 14 1/2 inches).