An Accurate Map of Shrop Shire divided into its Hundreds . . .

A good clean copy of by far the most important eighteenth-century English atlas to be published before the appearance of John Cary's new English atlas in 1787 (Hodson). The highly-detailed and large scale folio maps, engraved by Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchen, at the instigation of John Hinton, were first collected together and issued by John Tinney, Thomas Bowles and Robert Sayer in 1760.
The work was the first large scale atlas of English counties since the works of Blaeu and Jansson a century earlier and was based on the latest surveys available. The maps were a long time in preparation, the engraving work mostly shared between Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin, beginning in 1749 with the county of Sussex and reaching completion of 45 plates in 1760.
During this time the plates passed through the hands of several publishers and were issued individually and in part works without title. The Large English Atlas was issued by various publishers until 1794 with few changes to the maps.
This is an exceptional map of the county, brim full of interesting information and facts concerning this royal county, as seen in the mid 18th century. Because the scale is so large, the cartography is spread out, allowing for a better understanding of the general layout of the county.
In the upper right corner is a decorative dedication cartouche to 'The Noble & Right Honorable Henry Arthur Herbert Earl of Powys Lord Lieut for the County of Salop'. The map is filled with interesting information, how many members of parliament are sent to Westminster, the identification of Rectories, Vicarages, Schools, Ancient Religious Houses, Post Stages, and Mileage circles are all there.
In additional many village , parks, roads hills etc are depicted. The map also lists notes on the the Seats of The Nobility within the county. There are interesting textural notes concerning the towns of Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury, Drayton, Bishop's Castle, Ludlow, Wenlock.
Finally, this wonderful map is complemented with a huge title cartouche, featuring water urns, fishing rod and net, buckets, wicker baskets etc and a sythe. This truly is the map to purchase if you have ever lived, or do live in Shropshire, or have any connection or affiliation to the county at all.