A very attractive and detailed 19th century map of Hertfordshire — with a fine vignette view of St. Alban’s Abbey — which was published in Christopher and John Greenwood’s Atlas Of The Counties Of England, from Actual Surveys made from the Years 1817 to 1833 (London: Greenwood & co.,1834). This particular example is from the boxed edition which is without the centre fold and usual offset.
Greenwood & Co. was a noted British map publishing firm in the early 19th century. Founded by two brothers from Yorkshire, Christopher (1786-1853) and John (fl. 1821-1840), it was the only private publisher that competed against the Ordnance Survey for any considerable period of time. During the 1820s, the firm produced a series of superb large scale maps of the counties based on a ‘one inch to the mile’ scale . In the long run, however, their efforts proved unsuccessful, but before closing their business, the brothers produced a magnificent atlas in 1834 entitled, ‘Atlas of the Counties of England’. Each county was shown on a now reduced and uniform scale of 1/3 inch to the mile and was embellished with an elaborate title and attractive vignette. In terms of detail, general accuracy and engraving quality, however, they are perhaps the finest set of county maps ever to be produced on a single sheet of paper and epitomise the hegemony British map making had at that time.
- This is an original engraving with original hand colour.
- Printed area is approximately 73.4cms by 58.4cms.
- The map is in very good condition with decent margins; centrefold, as issued. There is some minor offset. Click on image for a better view.
- Click on ‘Delivery Policy’ for postage costs.
- Guaranteed to be over 180 years old.