Engraved County Map
An engraved county map records local boundaries and topography on paper through ink and colour, offering a direct view into past landscapes.
Engraved County Map
The items commonly take the form of framed wall art designed for display. Examples range from early Dutch atlas plates to later English county delineations published in commercial atlases.
How they were made
Finished plates found mounting within wooden frames, often backed by glass and secured with gold leaf accents on select framing elements.
The inventory includes works associated with Dutch cartographers as well as English county mapmakers.
What varies in quality
The clarity of the printed line and the precision of the plate impression distinguish individual examples. Early printings from copper plates retain sharper topographical details than later strikes or worn impressions.
The skill of the original hand-colouring and the preservation of the paper support influence the visual presence of the framed piece.
Blaeu·John Speed·Ogilby·Robert Morden·Joan Blaeu·Thomas Kitchin·Janssonius·Eman Bowen·Christopher Saxton·John Cary·J Harrison·J. Duncan·C. Smith
The Engraved County Map Glossary
- Cartography
- The study and practice of making maps. This discipline forms the core of historical atlas production.
- Atlas
- A bound collection of maps. These volumes provided the source for many individual sheets found in frames today.
- Engraving
- The process or result of cutting a design onto a hard surface. Metal plates received these incisions to hold printing ink.
- Hand-coloured
- The application of pigment by brush after printing. Watercolour was commonly applied to highlight regional divisions.
Engraved County Map: Frequently Asked Questions
How old are these maps?
The pieces span multiple centuries, with examples originating from the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Dates range from early seventeenth-century works through to nineteenth-century publications.
Were they originally in books?
Many sheets were initially published as plates within bound atlases and later separated for framing.
Works by cartographers like Blaeu and Speed typically appeared in comprehensive geographical volumes before individual distribution.
How should I frame them?
Preservation requires framing methods that protect delicate paper from direct contact with light and moisture.
Wooden frames with glass glazing help shield the historical ink and paper from environmental damage.