Circle of Swabia (Southern Germany) antique map. Wilkinson c1794

by Wilkinson, Robert

The Circle of Swabia, drawn from the best authorities, by R. Wilkinson c1794. In south-west Germany and Poland (later Pomerania), the medieval Duchy of Swabia also included the "Dutchy of Wurtemberg".

Original copperplate-engraved map with fine contemporary hand-colour (from the time of publication). Published in London circa 1794 for Robert Wilkinson's The General Atlas of the World. Most of Wilkinson's maps were updates of the plates that previously belonged to English map publisher John Bowles. (Wilkinson acquired his library of engraved copperplates after Bowles died in 1779.) R. Wilkinson flourished as a map maker and atlas publisher between 1768 and 1825, and his popular atlas was reissued in 1802, 1809, and later until his death in 1825.

As with much early colour, the paint has oxidized and shows through to the rear side of the map. The paper is slightly discoloured, as is to be expected considering its age. The map has wide borders as issued.
Approximate page size: 340 x 265mm (13.5 x 10.5 inches); to intaglio plate mark: 325 x 295mm (12.75 x 11.5 inches).