Welcome to Classical Images!
Description: These wonderful, beautifully detailed original antique copper-plate engraved double sided Road Maps of the counties and regions of England and Wales were compiled by John Owen and engraved by Emmanuel Bowen in the 1720 edition of Britannia Depicta or Ogilby Improved.There are a total of 87 double sided page maps, 6 are hand coloured with 2 duplicates and all are in VG to fine condition with light age toning to a few, please see below.
Background: These delightful and fascinating small road maps with their embellishments of coats of arms and historical notes come from an 18th century road atlas - Britannia Depicta. The strip road maps of England and Wales first appeared in 1675 with the publishing of John Ogilby's magnificent atlas Britannia, containing 100 folio sized road maps. By the first part of the 18th century there was public demand for a small road atlas that could be easily carried by travellers on horseback or for those who could afford to take a coach. There were a number of abortive attempts to produce such a handy sized atlas but others succeeded like John Senex who published his small road atlas in 1719. A year later Britannia Depicta was published by Thomas Bowles. The interesting notes that appear on the front and back of each map were compiled by the antiquarian and lawyer John Owen whilst the engraving was undertaken by Emanuel Bowen This was Bowen's first major work as a cartographical engraver for which he received a part share in the atlas in payment for his labours. The format of the atlas and maps met with the public's approval and the atlas was republished many times over the next forty years until the last edition in 1764. The double sided Road Maps each measure about 5 x 7 inches. The maps are highly entertaining describing the route taken with sights of churches to gallows and many other misc. items of interest for travelers of the 17th and 18th centuries, fascinating maps.
General Description: Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable Paper color: - off white Age of map color: - Early (5) Colors used: - Red, yellow, blue (5) General color appearance: - Authentic (5) Paper size: - 8in x 6in (200mm x 150mm)ea Plate size: - 8in x 6in (200mm x 150mm)ea Margins: - Min 1/4in (5mm) Imperfections: Margins: - Light age toning Plate area: - Light age toning Verso: - Light age toning