John Tallis City Plans

In 1850, the London publisher John Tallis issued his "Illustrated Atlas" which consisted of eighty highly decorative maps engraved on steel by John Rapkin. By that time the accuracy and practicality of maps were generally considered of greater importance than were aesthetic qualities, and Tallis's maps were unusual for the period. They are delicately engraved and are surrounded by charming vignettes depicting famous landmarks, wildlife and costume of the inhabitants of each country. Borders of the nation appear to have been hand-coloured before issue, but the vignettes were left uncoloured (in some cases these have modern colour to enhance their visual appeal). The atlas was issued several times during the early 1850's and some maps of the Crimea were later re-printed in historical works dealing with the War, by the London Printing and Publishing Company.
Tallis did not produce a series of county maps, but his maps of the individual countries of the British Isles are worthy of note. Between 1850 and 1860, Tallis published an extremely attractive series of town plans, also engraved by Rapkin, with vignettes of scenes and buildings taken from Dugdale's "Curiosities". Significantly, these plans included the rapidly expanding towns of the North and Midlands during the Industrial Revolution.

Aberdeen, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1551, 18 x 14 inches (460mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Aberdeen has pictorial insets that show Old Don Bridge, Castle Street, North Church King Street and a small panorama of Aberdeen.
Ref No: SCOT 1113
Bath, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Bath has pictorial insets of the Royal Crescent, Abbey Church and St. Michael's Church.
Ref No: SOM 385
Belfast, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 10 x 14 inches (260mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Belfast has pictorial insets of Queen's College, the Ulster Institution for the Deaf and Blind, Ulster Railway Station, the Ballast Office, the Court House and a small panorama of Belfast.
Ref No: IRE 1635
Bradford, Yorkshire, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Bradford has pictorial insets of the Terminus of the Bradford and Halifax Railway, the Infirmary, the Cemetary, Airedale College, St. Peter's Church, St. George's Hall and the Roman Catholic Church.
Ref No: YORKS 826
Brighton, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Brighton has pictorial insets of the Chain Pier, Old Street and the Pavillion and the Railway Station. In the center of the Town is the Steyne, named after the Staine or Rock that the fishermen of the old town used to dry their nets. At the eastern side of the plan is Kemp Town, an extension to Brighton that commenced building in 1831 on the estate of Thomas Read Kemp.
Ref No: SUSSEX 492
Brussels, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Brussels has pictorial insets of the Palace Royal, Hotel de Ville, Avenue in the Park, the Church of St Gudule and a small panorama of Brussells near the Porte D'Anderlecht.
Ref No: BELUX 738
Cork, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Cork has pictorial insets of Queenstown Harbour Cove of Cork, Old Weir bridge Killarney, Black Rock Castle and Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle is situated just outside of Cork and was built in 1446. Now a ruin, it is famous for the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone.
Ref No: IRE 1633
Dublin, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 19 x 14 inches (480mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Dublin has pictorial insets of the Custom House, South Wall Lighthouse, Nelson's Column Sackville Street, St. Patricks, Kings Bridge and the Four Courts.
Ref No: IRE 1634
Exeter, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Exeter has pictorial insets of Exeter Cathedral, the Post Office, Northernhay, St. Sidwell's Church, the Guildhall and a view of Exeter from the River Exe.
Ref No: DEVON 441
Glasgow, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 19 x 14 inches (480mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Glasgow has pictorial insets of the Royal Exchange, the Cathedral, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the University, the New Bridge and a view of Glasgow from the Green.
Ref No: SCOT 609
Leeds, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 20 x 14 inches (510mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Leeds has pictorial insets of the Cemetary, Woodhouse, Mill Hill Chapel, Kirkstall Abbey, the Town hall, Wellington Bridge, the New Gaol and St. Peter's Church. There is also a small vignette of a barge by the Knostrop Cut off the River Aire.
Ref No: YORKS 827
Liverpool, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 20 x 14 inches (510mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Liverpool has pictorial insets of St. George's Hall, the Custom House, the sailors House and a large panorama of Liverpool from Birkenhead.
Ref No: LANCS 386
Manchester and its Environs, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 20 x 14 inches (510mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Manchester and its Environs has pictorial insets of the Royal Infirmary, the Athenaeum, Collegiate Church, the Town Hall, the Post Office and the Free Library.
Ref No: LANCS 385
Newcastle on Tyne, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Newcastle of Tyne has pictorial insets of the Railway Bridge, Central Station, the Castle, the Grey Monument and the High Level Bridge.
Ref No: NTHUMB 284
New York, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 14 x 21 inches (360mm x 530mm)

This city plan of New York has pictorial insets of a New York Steamer, Brooklyn, City Hall, Custom House, New York from Williamsburgh and the Narrows from Fort Hamilton.
Ref No: USA 6589
Perth, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 13 x 10 inches (330mm x 250mm)

This city plan of Perth has pictorial insets of Kinfauns Castle, Scone Palace, the Bank of Scotland and a small panorama of Perth.
Ref No: SCOT 1114
Plymouth, devonport and Stonehouse, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 14 x 10 inches (360mm x 260mm)

This city plan of Plymouth, devonport and Stonehouse has pictorial insets of the Column, Plymouth Sound and a small panorama of Plymouth.
Ref No: DEVON 442
Southampton, published by Tallis (John) in London in 1851, 10 x 14 inches (260mm x 360mm)

This city plan of Southampton has pictorial insets of the Bar Gate, Netley Abbey, the Railway Station and a small panorama of Southampton.
Ref No: HANTS 516

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