A charming 18th century road strip map showing the route from London to Abingdon — via Brentford, Hounslow, Colnbrook, Slough, Maidenhead, Henley-on-Thames, Nettlebed, Benson and Dorchester — which appeared in John Owen & Emanuel Bowen’s Britannia Depicta or Ogilby Improv’d (London: T. Bowles, 1720-c.1764).
The Owen and Bowen road strip maps were based on the far larger ones done by John Ogilby in the 1670s. Their smaller format of ½ inch to the mile, however, made them far more practical and portable than the folio sized Ogilby road atlas which weighed 4½ pounds! Each map was finely engraved by Emanuel Bowen, who was one of the most renowned and prolific map makers of the 18th century. The maps also had the added feature of copious amounts of information, written by John Owen, describing the places visited. ‘Britannia Depicta’ proved to be immensely popular with the travelling public and was continually published for nearly 50 years.
- This is an original copperplate engraving with later hand colour.
- Printed areas are approximately 11.7cms by 18.3cms for page 33 and 11.7cms by 18.5cms for page 34.
- The map is in very good condition with adequate margins. There is some minor see-through. Click on image for better view.
- The item comes displayed in a ready to frame museum quality mount.
- Click on ‘Delivery Policy’ for postage costs.
- Guaranteed to be at least 290 years old.