City of London School
Cartographer : - Archer, Joshua (active) 1841-1865
- Date: - 1838
- Size: - 8in x 5 1/2in (200mm x 140mm)
- Ref#: - 90862
- Condition: - (A+) Fine Condition
Description:
This original hand coloured antique print of the City of London School in Milk Street, London, was engraved by by James Woods after a drawing by Hablot Browne (1815-1882) and a sketch by Robert Garland (1808-1863) was published in The History of London Illustrated by Views in London and Westminster in 1838.
General Definitions:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color : - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Blue, yellow, red, green
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 8in x 5 1/2in (200mm x 140mm)
Plate size: - 8in x 5 1/2in (200mm x 140mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - Light soiling
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None
Joshua Archers early work is often overlooked as he is perhaps best recognised for work published in in The Curiosities of Great Britain by Thomas Dugdale in 1846.The fine, steel engraved maps characterised the more austere, functional approach that was becoming increasingly typical of Victorian cartographers, who generally rejected, with the notable exception of Thomas Moule and perhaps Archibald Fullerton, the more decorative styles of earlier mapmakers such as the likes of John Speed, Emanuel Bowen Thomas Kitchin.
Perhaps this veer away from the decorative suggests the idea that Archer’s maps were designed to be used, as opposed to merely studied. Their content includes communications: canals, railways and coach routes. Market towns, various religious buildings including priories, abbeys and churches were also indicated, as were ancient divisions within the counties, marked as ‘hundreds’ for most areas, bar some northern counties of England). Archer’s plates were later reissued, published together with some of some Cole & Roper plates in England & Wales delineated. The maps often featured quite crude outline colouring, well in keeping with the somewhat anti-aesthetic, pro-scientific tone of the time.
Overtly pretty they may not be, but the wealth of information included on these delightful small maps cannot be undervalued. It is fair to say that they are collected today, not for their looks, but as a record of the both the cartographic and socio-political developments of the mid 19th century. (Ref: M&B; Tooley)
What is an Antique Map
The word Antique in the traditional sense refers to an item that is more than a hundred years old. In the past maps were sold in two forms, as a single sheet (broadsheet) or bound in an atlas or book. The majority of antique maps for sale today come from books or atlases and have survived due to the protection offered by the hardback covers.
The first thing to determine when staring a collection or purchasing an item, is what is important to you. Most collectors prefer to build their collections around a theme. You may decide to collect maps from one region or country, charting its development through time. Similarly you could collect maps of one particular period in time, by type (i.e. sea or celestial charts) or by cartographer. The collector might also want to consider the theme of cartographical misconceptions such as California as an island or Australia as Terra Australis or the Great Southern Land.
The subject is so wide that any would-be-collector has almost endless possibilities to find his own little niche within the field, and thereby build a rewarding collection.
Pricing is based on a number of different factors, the most important of which is regional. In any series of maps the most valuable are usually the World Map and the America/North America. The World because it is usually the most decorative and America because it has the strongest regional market. Other factors that come into play re: price is rarity, age, size, historical importance, decorative value (colour) and overall condition and quality of paper it is printed on.
As specialised dealers, we frequently work with first time map buyers who are just starting their collection. Guiding new collectors on their first antique map purchase and helping new collectors to focus their interests is one of the most rewarding aspects of being an rare map dealer. So please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
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Classical Images was founded 1998 and has built an excellent reputation for supplying high quality original antiquarian maps, historical atlases, antique books and prints. We carry an extensive inventory of antiquarian collectibles from the 15th to 19th century. Our collection typically includes rare books and decorative antique maps and prints by renowned cartographers, authors and engravers. Specific items not listed may be sourced on request.
Classical Images adheres to the Codes of Ethics outlined by the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA).
We are a primarily an online based enterprise, however our inventory may be viewed by appointment. Please call or email to arrange a viewing.
