Historical Maps

60x50 cm

ORBIS VETERIBUS NOTUS
AUCTORE J. ARROWSMITH.
London. Pub.^d 15 Feb.^y 1842, by J. Arrowsmith, 10 Soho Square.

Published in The London Atlas of Universal Geography...J. Arrowsmith, London 1842.

John Arrowsmith (1790-1873) cartographer, engraver, globemaker, lithographer and publisher. Hydrographer to Queen Victoria. Born 23 April 1790 near Barnard Castle, County Durham, the son of Thomas Arrowsmith. His uncle was the cartographer, engraver, globemaker, surveyor and publisher Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823) Hydrographer to George IV. In 1810 John moved to London and following his Uncle’s death in 1823, set up his own business in Red Lion Square, moving to The Strand in 1824. Following the death of his cousin Samuel Arrowsmith (1805-1839), he took over the Arrowsmith premises in Soho Square and purchased the stock of plates and copyrights at auction. The 1841 census records him living with several cousins and the orphaned son of Samuel Arrowsmith. From 1851 to 1871 he lived alone at Soho Square with a cook and a housemaid. He served as a member of the council of The Royal Geographical Society 1851-1868, receiving the patron’s medal in 1863. He continued working until his death on 2nd May 1873. Much of his stock was purchased at auction by Edward Stanford in July 1874. The Arrowsmith River and Mount Arrowsmith in Australia and the Arrowsmith Plains and Mount Arrowsmith in Canada are all named after him.

Creasing at centrefold. The preface and contents to the London Atlas have been pasted to the back of the left half of the map.