1830s CARY'S JOHN LARGE MAP ENGLAND WALES POST MASTER GENERAL ANTIQUE CANALS

Cary's Reduction of his Large Map of England and Wales, with part of Scotland; Comprehending the whole of the Turnpike Roads, With the Great Rivers and Course of the different Navigable Canals . . . By Order and Dedicated to The Post Master General . . .

Publication Place / Date

London / 1834

Image Dimensions

25 x 30 inches approx

Nice example of John Cary's reduced map of England, one of the most popular maps of the country at the beginning of the 19th century.

The map is dedicated to the Post Masters General, and shows turnpike roads, navigable canals, etc.

The map was first issued in 1796 and re-issued with updates for over 50 years.

Condition Description

Condition is Good for the age as shown. Folding map with no slip cover.  Contemporary inscription owners name to the back. Please review the images as they form part of the description.

John Cary Biography

John Cary (1755-1835) was a British cartographer and publisher best known for his clean engraving and distinct style which influenced the entire map industry. Born in Wiltshire, John was apprenticed to an engraver in London. He started his own business by 1782 and moved to several premises before settling at 86 St James’s Street in 1820.

Cary had several significant collaborations during his career. John Wallis and Cary diversified Cary’s business to include broader publishing projects. Brother William and John made globes together, while brother Francis participated in the company’s engraving work. Finally, geologist William Smith and Cary developed and sold geological maps, some of the first of their kind. The pair also produced a notable series of county maps starting in 1819. Cary’s atlases, of English counties and the world, were the standard texts of the early nineteenth century. He was appointed surveyor of roads to the General Post Office in 1794, which led to the New Itinerary, first published in 1798. 

John trained his son, George, in engraving and George and his other son, John Jr., took over the business in 1821. It was then known as G. and J. Cary and continued in trade until 1850. The firm’s materials were then acquired by George Frederick Cruchley and then Gall and Inglis. By the time John died in 1835, Cary was the authoritative name in private map publishing and his business was a leader in the field throughout the first half of the nineteenth century.

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