Cambridgeshire Maps

15x26 cm

A Map of CAMBRIDGESHIRE  North from London | Humbly Inscribed to the Rt. Honble. ye Earl of Lincoln Lord Lieutenant of ye County.
Royston from London 38-2, to Caxton 9, to Cambridge 2, to Newmarket | 8-3, to Ely 9-2, to Wisbeeach 11-2, from London to Cambridge 52. | According to Act of Parliament by G. Bickham 1752
Stylised birds-eye view of Cambridgeshire engraved by George Bickham. George Bickham senior (c.1684-c.1784) and George Bickham junior (fl.1732-71, died 1771) were involved in the production of The British Monarchy, a work comprising entirely of engraved copperplates as a demonstration of the art of calligraphy. The work commenced publication in monthly parts in October 1743 culminating in 190 engraved sheets sometime in 1749. This original publication did not include county 'maps' and in 1749 the Bickhams announced a re-issue, again issued in parts, with the addition of 'Maps of each County, drawn and engrav'd in a quite new Taste.' An advertisement in the Public Advertiser for 10th November 1755 announced 'that beautiful Work, British Monarchy, now finish'd after ten Years Labour, on 233 Folio Copper-plates bound' The work is last mentioned in 1766 but probably remained on sale from Bickham's shop in Covent Garden until George junior's death in 1771. The maps re-appeared on the market with amendments to the plates including simplified titles in place of Bickham's elaborate calligraphy in 1796, published by the firm of Laurie and Whittle. It was probably withdrawn from sale shortly after 1800.
This first issue Cambridgeshire map includes the three pages of accompanying engraved text. Small margins and some light adhesive tape stains verso on each sheet but still a good example in later hand colour of a rare map with all the engraved text.