VERY RARE EARLY SEPARATELY PUBLISHED STATE. The maps from Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin’s beautiful 'Large English Atlas' were first issued separately. The project began at the hands of the publisher John Hinton in 1748 before he ran into financial difficulties. They are superb, clear and concise engravings. In the history of English county atlases it is hard to think of one with finer quality. Wardington praised the book saying that ‘the size of the plate presented the publishers, the engravers and the printers with as formidable a task as any posed by the finest productions of Louis XIV or XV, the best of the Dutch engravings fifty years earlier, or the Ordnance Survey sheets fifty years later’. Demand for folio maps of the English Counties in the early eighteenth century was mostly met by the old maps of Christopher Saxton, John Speed and various other seventeenth century maps. Individual large scale surveys were beginning to be published providing a ready source for accurate information. In the case of Cornwall it was based on the exceedingly rare Joel Gascoyne of 1699. Hinton clearly saw a market for a fresh set of folio maps. In about 1748 Hinton employed the engravers Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin to engrave the maps. Hinton had already employed Bowen for the maps in the 'Universal Magazine' from 1747. In May 1749 Hinton announced the publication of the map of Sussex and stated that the balance would be published at the rate of one a month. By 1752 or 1753 he sold his interest and the twenty-eight maps produced to date to the printseller John Tinney. By May 1756 he too felt the financial strains of the project and brought in the most successful printseller's of the time, Thomas Bowles, John Bowles and Son and Robert Sayer. Hodson 221 provides a thorough account of the complex history of this atlas, which was finally completed and issued with a title-page in c.1762. Because of the long publication history of the atlas the maps all appear with several different imprints. That of Suffolk is found in nine states. This example is in Hodson's state T, the second state, reflecting the sale to John Tinney. Hodson (1984-97) II 221 & p. 135; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

Following the success of the earlier published 'Large English Atlas', Bowen and Kitchin undertook a smaller version entitled the 'Royal English Atlas'. It was not a commercial success and as such is much rarer than its predecessor. Indeed the first edition is only known in 6 examples. The imprint below the map was altered to reflect the changes in ownership with Robert Sayer and John Bennett's names being included. Hodson 42.2; Skelton - Hodson 234.

The maps from Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin’s beautiful 'Large English Atlas' were first sold separately and early issues of the work can be found with varying contents. The project began at the hands of the publisher John Hinton before he ran into financial difficulties. They are superb clear and concise engravings. In the history of English county atlases it is hard to think of one with finer quality. Wardington praised the book saying that ‘the size of the plate presented the publishers, the engravers and the printers with as formidable a task as any posed by the finest productions of Louis XIV or XV, the best of the Dutch engravings fifty years earlier, or the Ordnance Survey sheets fifty years later’. Hodson 221 provides a thorough account of the complex history of this atlas, which was finally completed and issued with a title-page in c.1762. This example of the map of Herefordshire is in its fourth state of five. Not in Chubb; Hodson 223, p. 127 & p. 131 state e; Smith Hereford pp. 83-4.

The maps from Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin’s beautiful 'Large English Atlas' were first sold separately and early issues of the work can be found with varying contents. The project began at the hands of the publisher John Hinton before he ran into financial difficulties. They are superb clear and concise engravings. In the history of English county atlases it is hard to think of one with finer quality. Wardington praised the book saying that ‘the size of the plate presented the publishers, the engravers and the printers with as formidable a task as any posed by the finest productions of Louis XIV or XV, the best of the Dutch engravings fifty years earlier, or the Ordnance Survey sheets fifty years later’. Hodson 221 provides a thorough account of the complex history of this atlas, which was finally completed and issued with a title-page in c.1762. This example of the map of Worcestershire is in its fourth state of five. Not in Chubb; Hodson 223, p. 127 & p. 137 state g.

The maps from Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin’s beautiful 'Large English Atlas' were first sold separately and early issues of the work can be found with varying contents. The project began at the hands of the publisher John Hinton before he ran into financial difficulties. They are superb clear and concise engravings. In the history of English county atlases it is hard to think of one with finer quality. Wardington praised the book saying that ‘the size of the plate presented the publishers, the engravers and the printers with as formidable a task as any posed by the finest productions of Louis XIV or XV, the best of the Dutch engravings fifty years earlier, or the Ordnance Survey sheets fifty years later’. Hodson 221 provides a thorough account of the complex history of this atlas, which was finally completed and issued with a title-page in c.1762. This example of the map of the East Riding of Yorkshire was issued following the death of John Bowles in the summer of 1779. Here though Robert Wilkinson's imprint was never added. He appears to have acquired the stock quickly as by December he had taken delivery of 150 printed 'Titles to Large English Atlas, Broadside'. Chubb 199; Hodson 227 & p. 137 state e; Rawnsley 25.

An example of the FIRST STATE published by John Tinney in 1754. The maps from Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin’s beautiful 'Large English Atlas' were first issued separately. The project began at the hands of the publisher John Hinton in 1748 before he ran into financial difficulties. They are superb, clear and concise engravings. In the history of English county atlases it is hard to think of one with finer quality. Wardington praised the book saying that ‘the size of the plate presented the publishers, the engravers and the printers with as formidable a task as any posed by the finest productions of Louis XIV or XV, the best of the Dutch engravings fifty years earlier, or the Ordnance Survey sheets fifty years later’. Demand for folio maps of the English Counties in the early eighteenth century was mostly met by the old maps of Christopher Saxton, John Speed and various other seventeenth century maps. Individual large scale surveys were beginning to be published providing a ready source for accurate information. In the case of Cornwall it was based on the exceedingly rare Joel Gascoyne of 1699. Hinton clearly saw a market for a fresh set of folio maps. In about 1748 Hinton employed the engravers Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin to engrave the maps. Hinton had already employed Bowen for the maps in the 'Universal Magazine' from 1747. In May 1749 Hinton announced the publication of the map of Sussex and stated that the balance would be published at the rate of one a month. By 1752 or 1753 he sold his interest and the twenty-eight maps produced to date to the printseller John Tinney. By May 1756 he too felt the financial strains of the project and brought in the most successful printseller's of the time, Thomas Bowles, John Bowles and Son and Robert Sayer. Hodson 221 provides a thorough account of the complex history of this atlas, which was finally completed and issued with a title-page in c.1762. Because of the long publication history of the atlas the maps all appear with several different imprints. With inset views of Carmarthen and Cardiff. This map is found in five states, this example is in Hodson's state T, the first, issued before the work was completed. Booth (1977) p. 86; Hodson (1984-97) II 221 & p. 138; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

The maps from Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin’s beautiful 'Large English Atlas' were first issued separately. The project began at the hands of the publisher John Hinton in 1748 before he ran into financial difficulties. They are superb, clear and concise engravings. In the history of English county atlases it is hard to think of one with finer quality. Wardington praised the book saying that ‘the size of the plate presented the publishers, the engravers and the printers with as formidable a task as any posed by the finest productions of Louis XIV or XV, the best of the Dutch engravings fifty years earlier, or the Ordnance Survey sheets fifty years later’. Demand for folio maps of the English Counties in the early eighteenth century was mostly met by the old maps of Christopher Saxton, John Speed and various other seventeenth century maps. Individual large scale surveys were beginning to be published providing a ready source for accurate information. Hinton clearly saw a market for a fresh set of folio maps. In about 1748 Hinton employed the engravers Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin to engrave the maps. Hinton had already employed Bowen for the maps in the Universal Magazine from 1747. In May 1749 Hinton announced the publication of the map of Sussex and stated that the balance would be published at the rate of one a month. By 1752 or 1753 he sold his interest and the twenty-eight maps produced to date to the printseller John Tinney. By May 1756 he too felt the financial strains of the project and brought in the most successful printsellers of the time, Thomas Bowles, John Bowles and Son and Robert Sayer. Hodson 221 provides a thorough account of the complex history of this atlas, which was finally completed and issued with a title-page in c.1762. Because of the drawn out nature of the publication earlier states of some of the maps do exist. However the first edition c.1760 should contain maps in state ‘a’ according to Hodson all bearing the names of the four partners. This example is in Hodson's fourth state 'g' and most likely issued before publication of the atlas. Provenance: Clive A. Burden Ltd. Baum p. 24; Deadman & Brooks 'Leicestershire' p. 76; Deadman & Brooks 'Rutland' p. 78; Hodson (1984-97) II 221.

The maps from Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin’s beautiful 'Large English Atlas' were first issued separately. The project began at the hands of the publisher John Hinton in 1748 before he ran into financial difficulties. They are superb, clear and concise engravings. In the history of English county atlases it is hard to think of one with finer quality. Wardington praised the book saying that ‘the size of the plate presented the publishers, the engravers and the printers with as formidable a task as any posed by the finest productions of Louis XIV or XV, the best of the Dutch engravings fifty years earlier, or the Ordnance Survey sheets fifty years later’. Demand for folio maps of the English Counties in the early eighteenth century was mostly met by the old maps of Christopher Saxton, John Speed and various other seventeenth century maps. Individual large scale surveys were beginning to be published providing a ready source for accurate information. Hinton clearly saw a market for a fresh set of folio maps. In about 1748 Hinton employed the engravers Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin to engrave the maps. Hinton had already employed Bowen for the maps in the Universal Magazine from 1747. In May 1749 Hinton announced the publication of the map of Sussex and stated that the balance would be published at the rate of one a month. By 1752 or 1753 he sold his interest and the twenty-eight maps produced to date to the printseller John Tinney. By May 1756 he too felt the financial strains of the project and brought in the most successful printsellers of the time, Thomas Bowles, John Bowles and Son and Robert Sayer. Hodson 221 provides a thorough account of the complex history of this atlas, which was finally completed and issued with a title-page in c.1762. Because of the drawn out nature of the publication earlier states of some of the maps do exist. This example is of particular interest due to the seller's label on the slipcase. It states that Thomas Jefferys 'Sells great Variety of Maps and Prints English and Foreign by the most Celebrated Masters'. Baum p. 24; Deadman & Brooks 'Leicestershire' p. 76; Deadman & Brooks 'Rutland' p. 78; Hodson (1984-97) II 221.

An example of the FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. This atlas was first published in 1767 as the 'Atlas Anglicanus' in response to Ellis’ popular English Atlas first published in 1765. The 'Atlas Anglicanus' like many projects at the time began life by being published in monthly numbers. Each contained three maps with, apart from the first (and Sussex), part numbers being engraved on them. Until recently no example of the parts issue had been located and the only evidence we had for its issue came from a contemporary account of Gough and two located adverts. Then in 2004 a complete set of the parts came up in an auction in Christies, London. They now reside in a private collection. The presence of the same number on three maps caused some confusion for earlier cartobibliographers, notably Chubb who surmised that they represented pigeon holes in the printing office! Shortly after production began Emanuel Bowen died, his death on 8 May 1767 was reported in the 'London Magazine'. The project was continued by his son Thomas although the issues were becoming somewhat irregular towards the end. Near completion Thomas Kitchin (1718-84) stepped in and appears to buy the rights to the atlas, the last part is issued 29 July 1768 with a title page indicating Kitchin as sole publisher. Kitchin was originally apprenticed to Emanuel Bowen in 1732 and would marry his master’s daughter, Sarah, in 1739. Quite soon the pupil’s output became prolific including several high quality English county atlases. Bowen was successful too and despite the death of Sarah in 1761 the ties between Bowen and Kitchin would remain close. But whilst Bowen’s wealth declined over the years Kitchin remarried in to a wealthy Baptist family. The maps are reductions of those published in the 'Royal English Atlas', themselves reductions of the 'Large English Atlas', both great works. After acquiring the 'Atlas Anglicanus' Kitchin immediately undertook the task of adding his imprint to all the maps. Examples of the first edition of the atlas usually contain some or all the maps with his imprint, this example however bears none and is therefore a true first issue. Very few examples survive in this state, in all my years I have only located three examples. One other I have handled twice and is now in a private collection, this example and one in another private collection. Chubb (1927) 232; Hodson (1984-97) 254; Shirley (2004) T.Bow 5a.

Emanuel Bowen’s 'Large English Atlas' was proving very popular; however, the reduced size 'Royal English Atlas' had not succeeded. It was Joseph Ellis with the 'New English Atlas' who had found a lucrative market. By 1767 several editions had already been published. Emanuel Bowen (1693?-1767) set about producing a similar quarto sized atlas. Bowen’s financial position however did not allow him the luxury of publishing an entire work and instead he did as many others in the eighteenth century and issued it in parts. Richard Gough wrote in his 'British Topography' in 1780 that ‘Bowen, reduced by family extravagances, and almost blind through age, had begun to engrave [the 'Atlas Anglicanus']. Emanuel Bowen died on 8 May 1767, the project was continued by his son Thomas. However, towards completion Thomas Kitchin (1718-84) stepped in and acquired the work which was published as the 'Atlas Anglicanus' in 1768.There is some debate about the reliability of the date 1777 printed on the title of this edition. Thomas Kitchin senior moved to live in St. Albans sometime later in the year 1768. He left the business in the hands of his son Thomas Bowen Kitchin (fl. 1766-81) with whom he entered partnership. The Holborn address had transferred to William Hawkes by November of 1776, as an advert in the 'London Evening-Post' for 16-19 November 1776 offers a map of New York stating, ‘W. Hawkes (successor to T. Kitchin, hydrographer to the King) at No.59 Holborn-Hill’. Hawkes had been apprenticed to the younger Kitchin. After 1776, many of the Kitchin plates began to appear in new hands, Hawkes himself did not stay in the building more than a year as a new tenant took over in 1778. Hawkes’ name does not appear anywhere in connection to the work. It might be concluded that the plates were sold to Andrew Dury (fl.1754-77), whose name appears on the title page, but that the old address was kept as the main distribution point. Only one map had an altered imprint, that of the roads now bears that of Andrew Dury’s. The date 1777 may reflect the not uncommon practice of placing the following year’s date on a work if issued late in the previous year. Dury himself signed his will on 21 September 1777 which was proved 14 February 1778. Dury’s business was continued by his widow Jane Smith for a short time. Provenance: Doreen Green Collection; Clive A. Burden Ltd. (2018) Catalogue 14 item 7; private English collection. Chubb (1927) 233; ESTC T163466; Hodson (1984-97) 255; Shirley (2004) T.Bow 5b; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).