Blaeu (G): Nova Totius Terrarum Sive Novi Orbis Tabula, original hand coloured wall map, published Venice(?), 1648
Size: 60 x 39 inches

Petrini (Paolo): L'Africa, separately published wall map, published Naples, 1700
Size: 46 x 35 inches.

This exceeding rare and spectacular piece is a superb example of a surviving 17th century wall map. Designed to awe the beholder with their beauty and decorative detail, wall maps represent the pinnacle of "Golden Age of Cartography". [see Shirley "The Mapping of the World" No. 435] Despite being signed "G.Blaeu" in the title banner, the derivation and sources for this map are obscure. Even its place of publication, probably Venice, is uncertain. While the map, like virtually all 17th century wall maps is based on Blaeu's wall map of 1605, it bears a striking resemblance to the 1629 map of Nicolaes van Wassenaer, of which only one example is known. The inclusion of the name "G.Blaeu" is a graphic testament to his continuing significance to potential map buyers even twenty-seven years after his death.

The importance of this vast continent to the early European empire builders is fully expressed in this large and highly decorative map by this little-known Neapolitan geographer. The inhabitants of the known regions are lavishly illustrated in panels surrounding a map which is full of ambiguity - reflecting the lack of real knowledge of the interior at this time. While some of the river systems, such as the Niger, seem to reflect knowledge based on actual discoveries, others are based apparently on rumour and heresay. The Nile for instance, is shown curiously rising in Western Africa and flowing east across the Sahara. Petrini's map is unrecorded and is therefore possibly a unique example.

Châtelain (Henri Abraham): Carte Très Curieuse de la Mer Sud, hand coloured engraved map on 4 sheets joined, published, Paris, 1719.
Size: 55 x 33 inches

Sayer (Robert): A General Map of the World, hand coloured engraved map on 4 sheets joined, published, London, 1787.
Size: 48 x 41 inches

Described in Schwartz and Ehrenberg as "One of the most elaborately engraved maps ever published that includes North America". It covers an area stretching from Western Europe and Africa right across to Japan and Australia. A huge island of California based on Sanson dominates North America. Despite the interesting geographical information, it is without doubt the wealth of pictorial detail contained in the vignettes surrounding the map, which is its outstanding feature. They cover every aspect of life in the New World and range from portraits of explorers and circumnavigators, scenes of everyday life, native animals and vegetation, to plans of towns and topographical views. The medallion portraits of Vespucci, Drake, Dampier and others are positioned in North America and cloak, like several other vignettes, an area of cartographic uncertainty. Below South America intricate cartouches picture such diverse subjects as penguins and sea-cows, the production of sugar and the extraction of ore, Aztec human sacrifice and the landing of Cortez. This is a magnificent map that epitomizes an entire continent.

A splendid wall map by one of the foremost 18th century English cartographers. The double hemispheres depict a highly accurate map of the world, and show all of the recent discoveries of Captain James Cook, including the tracks of his various voyages around the world. Surrounding the hemispheres there is a wealth of scientific and astronomical detail including diagrams depicting the constellations, the solar system and even a detailed map of the lunar surface. Attractively hand coloured, this is a striking and decorative map which was also intended as an educational tool.

Clouet (L'Abbe): Carte Generale de la Terre ou Mappe Monde, an original hand coloured engraved wall map, Paris, 1774
Size: 58 x 49 inches

Rocque (John): A Plan of the cities of London and Westminster, hand coloured engraved map on 24 joined sheets, published London, 1746
Size: 156 x 82 inches

A rare wall-map with magnificent original colouring. The twin hemispheres, surrounded by smaller hemispheres, astronomical diagrams and an armillary sphere, are supported by the figures of Atlas and Hercules crouching beneath the weight in front of a dramatic sky. Geographically this map has many fascinating features, particularly relating to the exploration of the Pacific. Richly hand-coloured predominantly in deep maroon, royal blue and greens this is a truly spectacular wall-map.

The first large scale survey of London and one of the most spectacular maps of the city ever published, was John Rocque's 24 sheet "Plan of
the Cities of London and Westminster", engraved by John Pine. This superbly hand-coloured first edition of Rocque's map is the result of over nine years surveying work and it includes an alphabetical index to streets and thoroughfares as well as an immence amount of other detail. There is no better, or more accurate description of mid-18th century London.

Nolin (Baptiste): Le Globe Terrestre, an original hand coloured engraved wall map, Paris, 1749
Size: 70 x 57 inches

Jefferys (Thomas): New England, an original hand coloured map, on 2 sheets joined, published London, 1774.
Size: 38 x 41 inches

A magnificent example of what Rodney Shirley describes as "one of the finest large-scale world maps to be produced and ... a fitting bridge between the geographical and artistic skills of the seventeenth century and the century to come." While it is the impact of its decorative appeal which at first strikes one, it is equally important for its geographical information.Originally engraved in 1700 by the painter Bocquet according to Nolin's designs, it copies elements from a manuscript map by De l'Isle (who was to obtain an injunction allowing him to destroy Nolin's plates and burn any printed copies he could find). It was to De l'Isle that owed the inclusion of the "Mer de l'Oeust" in the American north-west for the first time on a printed map. Above this Nolin places a tentative Strait of Anian running into the Hudson Bay, thereby replacing the misconception of the "island" of California with two more. On the other side of the Pacific he draws a conjectural coastline joining Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania into one vast landmass. Nolin is convinced of both the existence and potential of the great "Terres Australes et Inconnues" to which he tentatively attaches New Zealand. He places a note on the Southern Continent below the Cape of Good Hope that it was discovered by Binot Paulmyer of Gonneville in 1503, that he called it "Indies Meridionale", found the inhabitants friendly and did considerable trade. Equally interestingly in the South Pacific he demonstrates the "Antipodes" (the diametrically opposite positions rotated through 180 degrees) of Rome, Madrid, Vienna, Paris and Constantinople in order to prove his contention that the southern lands "whether a continent or many islands, is a land which could be inhabited". Decoratively this map is sumptuous tour de force harmoniously combining elements of both the rococo and the baroque. The double hemispheres are supported by four monumental figures representing the seasons including that of Winter, dressed in fur-lined robes crouched by a brazier. Six magnificent vignettes each illustrating one of the days of the Creation surround the hemispheres, the finest showing God summoning forth the light and the stars. The border, engraved on separate sheets, consists of sixteen Old Testament vignettes interspersed with descriptive text. Augmented by very fine later colouring, despite the usual restoration associated with large wall maps, this is a stunning copy of a very rare map.

An impressive example of the first large scale, detailed map of New England. Thomas Jefferys' important two sheet map of 1774. The area covered stretches from the Hudson River in the west to the Atlantic, and from New York and Long Island up to southern Maine. There are two inset plans of Boston town and harbour, the former showing the town as it was shortly after the disastrous fire of 1770. A note states that Boston had twelve wards each of which raised a "Company of Foot" many of whom were already in action against the British when this map was published. In its striving for accuracy this map is unusual for its acknowledgement of its many sources: it cites Hazzen's, Mitchell's, Gardner and Kellog's surveys amongst others. It is the immense amount of careful detail which makes this map so captivating. There is a wealth of place-names both Indian and European, the latter of course, mainly derived from English towns. As well as the towns and forts, individual habitations are marked, those of the Indians with a symbol of a teepee, those of the Europeans, with a square, as are roads, fish ponds, ferries and waterfalls. Considering the revolution which had erupted in 1775 and indeed started in the area covered by this map, it is particularly appropriate that its decorative cartouche of this map should incorporate a fine vignette of a group of settlers landing from their ship at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and being welcomed by an allegorical female figure representing Liberty who is gesturing into the interior. This map embodies a moment of American history, which like the ownership names on the land it portrays and the purposes for which it was originally drawn, was to be swept away in the flood of the Revolution.

This is Antonio Zatta's magnificent version of the John Mitchell map of North America.Used as a basis for drawing up territorial boundaries after the French and Indian war and the American Revolution, the Mitchell map had an extensive printing history with some twenty-one distinct editions. This Zatta version of 1778 is significantly entitled "Le Colonie Unite" as opposed to "The British Colonies" - one of the very earliest references on a map to the United States. Zatta's is one of the most striking maps from this important period in American history. Printed on twelve joined sheets, this large map has the visual impact of the original Mitchell with its numerous written notations and boundary lines. Zatta has added his own magnificent title cartouche incorporating beavers, ships and a jungle landscape, and there are also large insets of Jamaica, Bermuda and the Florida Peninsula.

This striking large scale map of England and Wales with a bold and finely engraved title cartouche. The map itself is delicately hand-coloured in outline highlighting the county boundaries throughout England and Wales. Upon close inspection the intricate network of roads can be followed as they emanate from London and extend throughout the United Kingdom. Decoratively, the map is enhanced with detailed illustrations of sailing vessels, including a complete fleet depicted in the English Channel

John Rocque's survey of Ireland is an outstanding achievement of decorative cartography. This large map contains a wealth of information within all four provinces of the land and includes road systems, county boundaries and topographical detail. Two insets depict an index to such landmarks as towns, villages, barracks and bogs, as well as a brief but fascinating history of ireland. Rocque's splendid map is made complete by a large and superbly decorative title cartouche depicting an allegorical scene.

In his position as the first Surveyor General of Bengal from 1767 to1777, James Rennell conducted one of the most important surveys of the Indian subcontinent. His sumtuous wall map of "Hindoostan" stands as an impressive overview of his extraordinarily detailed work. Dedicated to the illustrious President of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks, the map extends from the hardly explored "Himmalehs" to the north, west to the "Great Sandy Desert" and south to the island of Ceylon. Lavishly hand coloured, this is an outstanding monument to the British mapping of India.

William Faden's detailed wall map includes Sardinia, Corsica, Dalmatia and Sicilly, as well as mainland Italy.Engraved to Faden's usual exceptionally high standards, this map offers a highly dramatic and intricately detailed overview of the Kingdom of Italy. Most striking are the finely hatchured mountain regions of both the mainland and the islands. There is also a detailed key which provides explanations of the colouring as well as the divisions between the French Republic, Italian Republic,Imperial Dominions and the Ligurian Republic.

A highly attractive map of Scotland by one of the master cartographers of the ealry 19th century. Superbly hand-coloure in Cary's inimitable style, the map shows great attention to detail and includes roads and a wealth of topographical detail. Each of the Scotish counties is clearly distinguished and there are insets of the Shetland and Orkney Islands.

Published by one of the greatest of all English cartographers, Aaron Arrowsmith, this splendid large scale map of the African continent is a visually striking and fascinating presentation of early 19th century knowledge of the "Dark Continent". With his characteristic attention to detail,Arrowsmith describes all of the latest discoveries within the interior, as well as alluding to some of the earlier myths. A striking example of this is the vast mountain range running east to west, which Arrowsmith names as the "Mountains of Kong" and, further east, the legendary "Mountains of the Moon".Almost as striking are the vast unknown areas of the interior,which Arrowsmith has left blank, and which must have been so inviting to the later British explorers of the Upper Nile and central Africa.

Aaron Arrowsmith's sumtuous wall map of Asia is dedicated to the great surveyor of the Indian sub-continent,Major James Rennell. Rennell's scientific mapping of the region is revealed in full, and emphasises some of the more dramatic advances of British knowledge acheived by the end of the 18th century. Rennell's knowledge however, is dwarfed by the vast territories of the western Chinese Empire which appears, for this early date,remarkably full of topographical detail, including trading routes, settlements and mountain ranges. Overall, this map is visually stunning, and also an outstanding summary of European knowledge of the Asian continent just prior to the period of the Great Gain.

One of England's greatest cartographers, William Faden, created this spectacular map of European Russian based on information acquired from the Royal Academy of Science in St Petersburg as well as from the "Russian Atlas" of Jasper Nantial. Attractively hand coloured in outline, this is a highly accurate map for its day and is one of the most attractive and detailed of the Russian Dominions available form this time.

Adrien Brue's remarkable detailed and superbly engraved map of Africa shows the continent as it was known prior to the far reaching 19th century exploration Livingston, Stanley and Baker. Much of the interior is designated as "inconnue aux Europeens" and virtually the only detailed topographical features within this unknown region are the legendary "Montagnes de la Lune". The tracks of early explorers such as Mungo Park and Barrow are clearly marked, along with the extensive caravan routes across the Sahara. The two inset maps depict the French islands of Bourbon and Reunion. Visually impressive, and on a grand scale, this map is a masterly and important conribution to the cartography of the "Dark Continent".

This splendid wall map of the still relatively unknown continent of Asia is remarkable for its detail and accuracy. Brue quotes the work of the great geographers Jean Baptiste D'Anville and Aaron Arrowsmith as two of the main sources of information for his map and the combination of attentive geographical research, exquisite engraving work and attractive hand colouring make this one of the most outstanding early large scale maps of the continent.

This magnificent copper engraved map of London was originally bound in six sheets and designed to be joined. Geographically, it is particularly interesting as it depicts the city after one of its great expansions. Great Britain had recently emerged as winners from the long Napoleonic War and its vast commercial might was now focused on domestic projects. Thus, geographically the city now stretches from Kentish Town in the North to Peckham Town in the South and Kensington in the West to the rapidly developing docks in the East. The lower border contains two large beautifully engraved vignettes in each corner, Westminster Abbey on the left and St. Paul's Cathedral on the right. The centre of the border contains a dedication to George IV and the border also contains keys describing the public buildings and the various borders within the city.

This finely engraved and attractively hand coloured French map gives a splendid overview of mid-19th Century Europe. The dominant regions include the Kingdom of Prussia, The Austro-Hungarian Empire and European Turkey. European Russia is shown on a huge scale extending eastwards to the Ural mountains. The map contains a wealth of detailed information including road systems (existing and under construction), shipping routes and carefully delineated political boundaries.

Spectacular large map of the environs of London showing the extensive rail network across the London region. The map extends as far as Windsor in the west and Grvesend and Chatham in the east. Pre-dating the enormous expansion of London in the late Victorian period, the metropolis only reaches Hyde Park, Regent's Park and the Oval at Kennington in South London. Beyond these perimeters much of present day London is still rural, with well known inner London regions such as Fulham, Hampstead and Brixton depicted as small villages.

Commonly referred to as a "blueback" chart (due to the tough blue paper used as a protective backing) this is a spectacular example of the work of the important private chart maker, Imray & Son, who issued sea charts to merchant vessels prior to the dominance of the British Admiralty. Covering the Indian Ocean, Australia and the Far East the chart typifies the "blueback" style with its extreme length as well as its numerous inset charts covering islands and harbour plans. Although approaching the complexity of modern sea charts in its wealth of navigational detail, it still invokes the days of early exploration with its numerous references to regions "almost entirely unknown". This is a splendid example of an early working sea chart.

TThis striking German map of Australia shows the epic 19th century exploration within the interior of Australia with immense clarity and detail. Of particular note is the telegraph line extending from Port Darwin in the north to Port Augusta in the south. Upon close inspection the map reveals a wealth of detail concerning the interior of New South Wales as well as the most recent discoveries within the western interior. The names of the explorers along with their routes and discoveries are shown throughout the continent, often in exquisite detail. This is an attractive and spectacular "explorers" map of Australia.

This fascinating wall map, published during the second world war, shows Greater Germany incorporating Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic. A window on the German perspective at this time, the map shows other relevant detail such as the startegically vital oil pipe lines in the middle east and the Caucasus. An historically interesting and attractive wall map.