Asia

38x26 cm

ASIA
Engraved by Sidney Hall.
Edinburgh. Published by A.& C.Black.
Steel engraving published in Black’s General Atlas from 1840. The map is signed by engraver Sidney Hall. Born about 1788, Sidney Hall is almost certainly the first engraver to use steel plates for map engraving, using plates manufactured by the Jacob Perkins process as early as 1821. Sidney Hall died early 1831 aged 42, pre-dating the publication of Black’s atlas by some nine years. It is known that his business was continued by his wife Selina Hall who was also a highly skilled engraver with an engraving style and quality matching that of her husband. Selina Hall signed her engravings simply "S. Hall" which has led to confusion amongst map bibliographers. Given the high standard of her engraving It is also possible that Selina was working anonymously for her husband and signing maps in his name prior to his death.
Good example in original wash hand colour.