Hertfordshire Maps

15x26 cm

A Map of HERTFORDSHIRE North from London | Humbly Inscrib'd to the R.^tHon.^blethe Earl of Essex Lord Lieutenant of this County
From Barnet to N Mims 3-6 to Ridge Hill 1-4 to Coney 1 5 to S.^tAlbans | 2-6 to Stevenage 10-2 to Baldock 6-1 in all 26 Miles S.^tAlbans from | London 21-5 Furlongs.
According to Act of Parliament by G Bickham 1751 
A view of Hertfordshire from the south with wood gatherers in Middlesex in the foreground. The River Lee, New River, Six Hills and 18 towns are named.
Published in The British Monarchy: or, a new chorographical description of all the dominions subject to the King of Great Britain…The whole illustrated with suitable maps and tables…engrav’d by George Bickham. London, G. Bickham 1743 (actually a re-issue made c.1754. Earlier issues of the work did not contain the panoramic map-views.)
George Bickham (1684-1758) and his son, also George (1704?-1771), are well known for their engraved calligraphy in The Universal Penman and The British Monarchy. 
The British Monarchy by George Bickham senior was first issued in weekly parts from 8th October but on completion in 1748 only 42 parts had been issued. In November 1748 a re-issue containing ‘Maps…engrav’d in a quite new taste.’ was announced and the completed work, with map views designed by George Bickham the younger, was published c.1754.
The work appeared only once more, published by Laurie & Whittle in 1796, with the decorative titles erased, the plates cut down, and new simplified titles engraved. It is not known how Laurie & Whittle acquired the Bickham plates.
Fine example with 2 original pages of engraved text from the rare first edition. Good later hand colour. 
Hodson Printed Maps of Hertfordshire ref. Supplement IV (i)