Middlesex Maps

21x17 cm

 
WOOD ENGRAVING BY A FEMALE ENGRAVER DURING THE REIGN OF WILLIAM IV.

MIDDLESEX.
Engraved by S. Hall. | Pubd. by J.Gilbert, Regent Strt.

(Sideways to the right of the map in typeset text): 
1832.] GUIDE TO KNOWLEDGE. 205
MIDDLESEX.
(refence to the hundreds and boroughs)
 
Woodblock engraving published in The Guide to Knowledge...by W.Pinnock...W. Edwards London 1833-34.
 
William Pinnock (1782-1843), born in Alton, Hampshire became a schoolmaster. In 1817 he moved to London and, in partnership with Samuel Maunder, began the publication of cheap educational works. The Guide to Knowledge was a publication issued in weekly parts between 1833 and 1834 and containing maps printed from the woodblock with the incised lines appearing white on a black ground. The technique proved unpopular for topographical maps and was not used again, the county maps were issued later in a more traditional format by lithographic transfer in Johnson's Atlas of England in 1847 & 1863.
 
The engraver was probably Selina Hall, née Price (1708?-1853), wife of well known engraver, Sidney Hall (1788?-1831). Selina continued his engraving business after his death and, as a highly skilled engraver whose work is almost indistinguishable from her husband's, was very likely also responsible for some of his output in his later years. Selina signed her work "S.Hall" while Sidney usually signed his maps "Sid^y. Hall".

Arms of Westminster top left.