Tallis Tasmania or Van Diemen's Land. Hand-coloured Heritage Editions print

by John Tallis & Company

Tasmania or Van Diemen’s Land. This is one of only 500 prints reproduced from a map drawn and engraved by John Rapkin, with illustrations by H. Warren engraved by J. Rogers, for John Tallis & Company, London and New York c1853.

The publishing firm of Tallis flourished from 1835 to 1860, and were renowned for their fine steel-engraved maps and prints. Tallis maps were among the last decorative maps published. All their maps were adorned by decorative borders and vignettes of cities, native fauna and flora, or people of the region shown. This map has vignettes of Hobart, Residence of the Van Diemen's Land Company's Agent, Circular Head, and Thylacinus cynocephalus (Thylacine).

As principal engraver of maps and prints for Tallis, John Rapkin’s ability and finesse was greatly responsible for the Company’s reputation as publishers of accurate and visually attractive maps. Illustrations decorating the maps, portraits and views were drawn and then engraved by skilled craftsmen - in reverse from a mirror image. Engraving illustrations was expensive. In 1865 Tallis was among the last of the publishers of beautifully decorated maps and prints.

Map page size 355 x 280mm (14 x 11 inches). This map is also available as printed in black and white (previous listing).