ITALY. 

Decorative copper line engraving on paper by Thomas Kitchin. The present map was published in London, circa 1770.

Engraved surface measures approx. 180 x 220 mm. Good condition. 

Attractive hand colour.  

A guaranteed genuine antique map.

THOMAS KITCHIN

Thomas Kitchin (also Kitchen; 1718–1784) was an  English   engraver  and  cartographer , who became  hydrographer  to the king. He was also a writer, who wrote about the history of the  West Indies . He was born in  Southwark , and was apprenticed to  Emanuel Bowen  in 1732.

Originally based in  Clerkenwell , by late 1755 Kitchin was established on  Holborn Hill. From 1773 Kitchin was royal hydrographer to the king. He married Sarah Bowen, daughter of  Emanuel , in 1739, and then Jane, daughter of  Joseph Burroughs, in 1762. He died in  St Albans  on 23 June 1784. 

Kitchin lived and worked in  London  until his retirement. He frequently stole the works of other cartographers, which is one reason why he created so much work as a cartographer. Kitchin died in June 1784 and was buried in  St Alban's Cathedral . His memorial stone has not survived.