Poland Antique Map from the best authorities. Wilkinson c1794.

by Wilkinson, Robert

Antique map of Poland with its Dismembred Provinces, Drawn from the Best Authorities. London: Published January 1st 1794 by R. Wilkinson No. 58 Cornhill. This map notes that colours correspond to the dates when Territories were ceded to Russia and Prussia in 1773 and 1793, to Austria in 1773, and the Present extent of Poland in 1794 - colourfully described as Dismembered Provinces. This is a wonderful overview of the history of Poland.

Original copperplate-engraved map with fine contemporary hand-colour (from the time of publication). Published in London circa 1794 for Robert Wilkinson's A General Atlas, being a Collection of Maps of the World and Quarters, the Principal Empires, Kingdoms Ec. With their several Provinces, & other Subdivisions, Correctly Delineated. Most of Wilkinson's maps were updates of engraved 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.

With colour oxidation to rear of the map from early colour, this is a beautiful map in good condition, except for a tear at left page extremity (not into map, and archivally reparied). There is also a little soiling and age-discolouration at paper edge - as is to be expected of a map of this age. The map has wide borders, as published. Page size is 265mm x 340mm (10.5 x 13.5 inches); to intaglio plate mark measures 225 x 275mm (approximately 9 x 11 inches).