Special Collections - Specialised Historical Maps
In our Special Collections category visitors to the site can view a number of different specialised historical maps based on a specific cartographer, map format, or theme. There are many types of map, some showing bird's eye views, which formed the basis of some of the early town plans through to the "strip maps", beautifully illustrated showing various land marks and milestones between destinations - better known as the early road maps. Some of our growing collections are mentioned below;
Collections by Cartographer or Publisher - This months featured items
Specialised Historical Maps
John Pine Maps
One of the largest collections of British Coastal Charts that are all available to view and order, along with some of the more specialist collections such as the John Pine Maps of the Armada.
John Speed Maps
In 1612 John Speed's "The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain" was published. Today these eye catching county maps are still as popular as they were back then, the collection contains all the county maps, along with Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
John Moule's English Counties
The entire first edition of John Moule's English Counties is almost complete. These are often sometimes described as the last of the more attractive maps ever produced, like Speed's earlier maps they are beautifully decorated with vignette views and scroll work. Subsequent editions were produced, mainly to include the arrival of the railways.
John Tallis
One of the most popular cartographers of the 19th Century was John Tallis, a London publisher. Tallis was renowned for the very accurate and visually most attractive maps and views of all world areas during the Victorian Age. His star engraver and map maker was John Rapkin. During the mid 19th Century many books of travel and exploration were published by Tallis, using the extraordinary artistic and engraving skills of John Rapkin. In 1851 Tallis published his famous Illustrated Atlas. We have over the last 10 years obtained original copies of all of the Town Plans from the atlas and now after many hours of work on each we can make them affordably available to everyone. We intend to extend this collection to include the many wonderful country maps from the same atlas.
Cole and Roper
Cole and Roper published "The British Atlas" with 58 English and Welsh county maps + 21 town plans in 1808-10. Dugdale used in his earlier editions of his Curiosities in Great Britain the Cole and Roper county maps minus the town plans, erasing all references to the map's origin. You can view and order any of the 21 town plans from this collection that capture some of England's ancient cities and towns before they spread way beyond their ancient fortifications.
The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge
The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, founded in 1826, was a Whiggish London organization that published inexpensive texts intended to adapt scientific and similarly high-minded material for the rapidly expanding reading public. It was established mainly at the instigation of Lord Brougham with the objects of publishing information to people who were unable to obtain formal teaching, or who preferred self-education.
The Society was sometimes mentioned in contemporary sources as SDUK. We have a growing collection of Town Plans from their atlas, some of the larger plans, being highly detailed, were spread across two plates, using the very latest in scanning technology and computerized art work we have now made them available as a complete plan in intricate detail.
Robert Dawson
As an integral part of this political change, Robert Dawson was commissioned to conduct surveys and report back to HM Government on any changes to Borough boundaries that might be considered necessary in order to complete the successful introduction of the Reform Act of 1832. Dawson produced 277 plans of the Boroughs of England & Wales showing the extent of the Borough in question in the form of the existing parish and Borough boundaries along with his proposals for expansion as the survey team considered necessary. These plans offer a fascinating insight into the period just prior to Victoria’s ascension to the throne. They were not centred on specific towns and therefore show many outlying settlements and farms.
In the future we will be adding additional "Special Collections" and continue to expand the content of our specialised historical maps - so keep visiting.
1. SELECT SUPER CATEGORY
Click on a super category image or title from the 'Map Shop' page to reveal sub-categories in the shop menu for that section.
2. SELECT SUB CATEGORY
Click on a sub-category from those highlighted in the shop menu to display maps/plans available for that section.
3. SELECT A MAP/PLAN
Click on any map/plan to view a detailed image and description together with the buying options available for that item.
4. SELECT A PRODUCT
Click on your choice of product type displayed on the right of the screen to reveal product sizes available.
5. ADD TO BASKET
Select a product size by clicking "Add to basket", then you can proceed to the checkout process where you can either pay online securely or continue shopping.
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