Durham Maps

54x48 cm

FINE FOLIO MAP WITHOUT CENTREFOLD
A NEW MAP OF DURHAM, DIVIDED INTO WARDS, EXHIBITING Its Roads, Rivers, Parks &c. By JOHN CARY Engraver. 1801
John Cary (c.1754-1835) began sales of his series of folio county maps from 1801 issuing the completed maps in parts, usually of three maps, culminating in 1809 with the issue of Cary's New English Atlas. The atlas was deservedly successful running to over ten editions before Cary's death. The plates passed to G F Cruchley about 1846 and to Gall and Inglis in 1877 and were issued by both publishers under various titles by lithographic transfer with continuous amendments, reflecting the rapidly changing railway network,. until their final appearance in Cruchley's railway and telegraphic county atlas of England and Wales published by Gall and Inglis about 1887. 
 
In addition to this extended publication in atlas form the maps were also issued continuously from 1801 to about 1890 as folding maps sold separately. The plates were probably disposed of as scrap metal during the first world war. 
This fine example of the county of Durham, in full original hand colour and dated 1801, is the first state of the plate either published in the first atlas edition of 1809 or from an earlier parts issue. A pasted page number to top right corner would suggest a parts issue subsequently bound in large folio atlas form, edge bound without centrefold.