From an edition of Saxton’s atlas by Philip Lea circa 1693, this plate did not appear in Christopher Saxton’s original atlas. It is engraved by Francis Lamb and made its first appearance in the earlier 1689 edition by Philip Lea which survives in just three known examples. Here the map is found in its second state with the addition of roads, crosses, crowns and a mitre. Although the original Christopher Saxton copper plates came into the hands of Philip Lea sometime in or before 1689 the fate of two of the plates is unclear, Devon and Northumberland never reappear suggesting that they might have been lost in the Great Fire of London in 1666. They were replaced by plates engraved for Lea; that of Devon is signed by the engraver Francis Lamb. For further details of Lea’s issues of the Saxton atlas please see the entries for Saxton. Batten & Bennett no. 19 state 2; Skelton (1970) pp. 175 & 179.

In 1820 Samuel Leigh (fl.1812-d.31) published the New Picture of England and Wales. It included one general map only, but stated 'The proprietor has availed himself of the talents of Mr. Sidney Hall to project a series of correct county maps, the same size as this book, which may be had in a separate volume, with a complete Index of the towns, villages, etc.'. Leigh’s New Pocket Atlas of England and Wales was published in the same year. It was a miniature county atlas which proved successful. Sidney Hall (1788?-1831) engraved the series of maps which were derived from those of John Cary. Hall was a prolific engraver of the period and according to Worms and Baynton-Williams 'was almost certainly the first engraver to use the new harder steel plates for map work, using plates manufactured by the Jacob Perkins process as early as 1821'. In 1825 Leigh published an accompanying New Pocket Road Book which can be found alone or bound with the atlas as here in its second edition. The extensive text provides fascinating descriptions of towns and places. Provenance: inscription of Charles Turner Lockward on title page; private English collection. Chubb (1927) 375; Fordham (1924) p. 58; Tooley's Dictionary (1999-2004); Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

This very rare map of the present day Carolinas did not appear in the early editions of Lescarbot's 'Histoire de la Nouvelle France'. It was first published in the 1612 issue. It records the Huguenot inspired voyages which were commanded by Jean Ribaut and René Laudonière between 1562 and 1565. ‘The latitudinal positions of coastal place names are more accurate, being almost 1 degree further south than on the Hondius, in almost exactly their true positions. 'La Caroline' is incorrectly shown on the north bank of the River May (St. John's River), and Charlefort is named at Port Royal. The Montagne de Palassi are described as bearing gold, silver and copper.' Burden 163; Church (1907) no. 356; Cumming (1938) pp. 476-92; Cumming (1962) no. 30 pp. 17-18; Cumming, Skelton & Quinn (1972) pp. 154-71, 181-92; Lowery (1912) no. 102; Schwartz & Ehrenberg (1980) pp. 64-7.

Samuel Lewis (1782-1865) was the successful publisher of the ‘Topographical Dictionary’ first published in 1831. The maps are often referred to as Creighton-Walker’s. Robert Creighton was the draughtsman and Thomas Starling, John and Charles Walker were the engravers. Chubb omits listing the maps of Guernsey and Jersey present here. The large folding plan of London is of particular note. That of Hampshire is filed alphabetically under its title Southampton. The 'Topographical Dictionary' was issued in four volumes with later editions in 1842, 1844, 1845, 1848 and 1849. In later editions, the maps were often put together as a separate fifth volume or atlas as here. Lewis would publish similar works on Wales in 1833, Ireland in 1837 and Scotland in 1846. He brought a successful suit against Archibald Fullarton for plagiarism with the 'New and Comprehensive Gazetteer' issued 1833-37. Beresiner (1983) pp. 144-148; Carroll (1996) 93.v; not in Chubb (1927) refer 430; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

This fine little series of maps was first published by James Wallis (fl.1810-25) c.1812 as Wallis’ New Pocket Edition of the English Counties or Traveller’s Companion. The maps are easily distinguished by the design of the title at the top of the map. They include a wealth of information with a key in the lower margin. A further edition was published c.1814 before they were used in two works by Patrick Martin, as the extremely rare Sportsman’s Almanack and the New Travellers Guide which survives in just the one known example. By 1819 the work was in the hands of William Lewis (fl.1796-1838) who reissued it as Lewis's, New Traveller's Guide, reusing the title with its attractive vignette of a coach and four with postillions. Although undated the Preface is signed 16 October 1819. It was first issued with the maps still bearing the imprint of Martin below. This was understandably altered quickly. This however is an early issue with 26 maps retaining the Martin imprint, the remaining being blank. There have been some alterations to many of the maps, roads have been re-engraved, the etching to the coast lines has been removed and many new place-names added. According to the label pasted on the cover it was sold for ‘21s’.It appears that this atlas was on the western front during the first world war. The date on the verso of the title page detailed below would indicate the Battle of Loos, the largest british attack of 1915, which took place between the 26-28 September, 1915. It was the first time the British used poison gas. Provenance: with several ownership inscriptions including in red ink inside front cover one in Co. Cork, Ireland; stamp of S. A. Boreham and by hand Mr B Canchett?, nr. Andover, Hants on front free endpaper; on final endpaper H. S. Farmer, Dublin; verso of title 'Brian C. Boreham 33820 ?, 1st. Section, Ammunition Column, 4 Brigade ... 7th Cavalry Brigade, British Expeditionary Force Sep 27th [19]15'; private English collection. Carroll (1996) 68; Chubb (1927) 364; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

FIRST EDITION. For the third edition of Samuel Lewis' 'Topographical Dictionary' a new series of maps was added. This was to reflect the Reform Bill of 1832 and the changes to local government boundaries. The draughtsman was again Robert Creighton with the plates engraved by John and Charles Walker. The maps were derived from those of Robert K. Dawson produced for the Bill. They comprise those of counties along with all the boroughs and town plans. All are collected into the fifth volume, the only one offered here. They are bound by county, many of the town and borough plans are in detail and of towns of which very little at all would have been produced prior. Hampshire is bound under ‘S’ for Southampton. Provenance: With inscription of 'John Bullen 3 New Inn Strand 16th January 1836’ on first free endpaper. Carroll (1996) 104; Chubb (1927) 464.

Samuel Lewis (1782-1865) was the successful publisher of the ‘Topographical Dictionary of England’ first published in 1831. It was expanded in 1833 with this work on Wales, Ireland in 1837 and Scotland in 1846. The maps are often referred to as Creighton-Walker’s. Robert Creighton was the draughtsman and Thomas Starling, John and Charles Walker were the engravers. Lewis brought a successful suit against Archibald Fullarton for plagiarism with the 'New and Comprehensive Gazetteer' issued 1833-37. Provenance: with manuscript ownership notations of 'W. G. Edmonds 1836'  and 'Thomas Lucas left him by his affectionate Uncle. 1837'; unidentified bookplate inside cover; invoice of Tom Lloyd-Roberts, Mold, Flintshire, in 1972, loosely inserted. Beresiner (1983) pp. 144-148;  Booth (1977) pp. 114-5; Carroll (1996) 93; Chubb (1927) 447; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

RARE LARGE-SCALE MAP OF SURREY. This is the fourth and last map of the county illustrated on a large scale of at least one inch to a mile before the Ordnance Survey. It was undertaken by Joseph Lindley (1756-1808) and William Crosley who fortunately for us, were one of the few who left their working notes on its production in a published memoir. Lindley worked in the Time Department at Greenwich and rose to become Head of the Department. His observational skills meant that he was sent to Paris with William Roy (1726-90) to help with the triangulation between Paris and London. It was Roy’s measurement of the Hounslow Heath base line in 1784, shown on the map, which formed the basis of the London-Paris triangulation.After receiving permission from Roy to use his five measurements within Surrey, he proceeded to survey the remainder of the county drawing on 85 stations or high points. Lindley then sought the partnership of the draughtsman William Crosley (d.1794). An experienced Estate Surveyor who also worked considerably on the Rochdale Canal. Crosley undertook the topographical survey. The survey was completed in 1790 and a study of the orthography followed. This was a check on the spelling of placenames. The finished work was then sent to Benjamin Baker (1766-1841), the engraver at Islington.A first undated state was issued in c.1792 of which according to Rodgers only one example survives, in the British Library. A second state, quite likely first published, was issued dated as here 15 April 1793. The map includes not only the whole county but rudimentary outlines of the suburbs of London north of the River Thames. This also enables the map to record the Hounslow Heath base line and the parallel of latitude of the Royal Observatory Greenwich.All the usual features are identified. A couple of unusual features are the inclusion of windmills in visual form and all milestones on the roads are noted with small round circles. The whole is finished with a fine architectural title cartouche and in full early wash colour. The project was not a success, hence the map’s rarity. Harley (1965) p. 63; Rodgers (1972) 439; this edition not in Sharp (1929); Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

The Political Magazine began publishing in January 1780 at the hands of John Bew, bookseller and publisher of 29 Paternoster Row, London. From the beginning, Bew was keen to continue the tradition of eighteenth century Magazines of including maps. As an engraver, he employed John Lodge ((fl.1755-96) who had previously worked for the Gentleman’s Magazine. In April 1782, a map of Ireland was published, one of Scotland in October 1784 and finally England and Wales in November 1785. John Murray (1737-93) joined Bew in partnership in February 1785 and from April of that year was in sole control. January 1787 saw the publication of Middlesex, followed by the Isle of Wight and Kent by May. By then a plan had clearly formulated to publish a full series of the county maps as from the following issue of June 1787 the county maps were issued in alphabetical order virtually monthly. In October 1789 Robert Butters (fl.1772-1809) of Fleet Street took control and continued the work with the publication of Oxford through completion in December 1790 with that of Yorkshire. It was to be the very last issue of the work.Shortly after at an unknown date the Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland was published. This collection of maps draws on all those issued in the Political Magazine except for those of the Isle of Wight and Isle of Man. The imprints of the Political Magazine and of the engraver Lodge are removed from the plates entirely. The title and contents label found pasted to the upper cover of some examples also bears no name, here it is retained loose. So, who was the publisher or issuer of this work? It is usual that the plates would have been owned by the publisher of the Magazine, in this case Butters, unless the assets needed to be sold. Butters went on to publish the extremely rare Atlas of England in 1803. But why would he wish to remove the reference to the Political Magazine which he had owned. Perhaps it had acquired a poor reputation? If Lodge owned the plates, he would not remove his imprints, and it is under Lodge that this work is usually listed for the lack of an alternative. Pembroke College, Oxford own an atlas compiled by Cluer Dicey with several of the county maps appearing in the first state. At first, I thought this might provide useful evidence, but it appears that they are later additions pasted on the verso of the maps issued at an earlier date. Based on a lack of an alternative it would seem likely that the plates were sold to an unknown third party who either wished to remain anonymous or never intended to publish them as an atlas. They were more than likely an acquirer of loose copper plates and sold prints and maps separately. An attribution of c.1795 to John Lodge therefore remains the best judgement available.There is no date, although Fordham recorded an example with a watermark date of 1795 present. An examination of this example finds no dated watermarks. A rare work, research has only located examples in the British Library, Bodleian Library, Oxford, Cambridge University Library, Whitaker Library, Leeds and the National Library of Scotland. Carroll (1996) 51; Chubb (1927) 249; Hodson (1984-97) p. 70; Jolly (1990) I pp. 145-72; Shirley (2004) T.Lod 1a; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

This map of the county of Surrey is one of a series first published in 'The Political Magazine' between 1782 and 1790, all carry the name of the engraver, John Lodge (fl.1755-96). First appearing in 1780 the 'Political Magazine' was published by John Bew. However from October 1789 it was in the hands of Robert Butters. It is the imprint of Butters which appears below the map along with the published date of 30 June 1790. The magazine's last issue was in December 1791. A rare map. Chubb 249; Jolly I POL 145; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).