Tallis decorative map of Western Australia or Swan River (c1851)

by John Tallis & Company

Swan River, Western Australia, Heritage Editions Tallis map.

Reproduction from a hand-coloured steel-engraved map drawn and engraved by John Rapkin; with finely-engraved border & vignettes by A.H. Wray, engraved by W. Lacey of a scene between Perth and Fremantle, Sheep Shearing, Aborigines, Perth from Mount Eliza, droving, a shipping scene, and the seal of Perth featuring the black swan. This is certainly the most decorative map of Western Australia ever printed - from the original published by John Tallis & Company c.1851. 

As principal engraver, John Rapkin’s ability was greatly responsible for the Company’s reputation as publishers of accurate, visually attractive maps. Illustrations decorating the maps were drawn, then engraved by skilled craftsmen in reverse from a mirror. Tallis flourished as map-makers between 1835 and 1860 but were among the last to publish decorative maps as the skilled embellishment was slow and uneconomical.

Page size: 390 x 310mm (15 5/8 x 12 1/4 inches). Map size: 350 x 270 mm (13 3/4 x 10 5/8 inches)