1815 Scotland
By: John Thomson
Date: 1815 (Published) Edinburgh
Dimensions: 24.5 x 19.75 inches (62.2 x 50.17 cm)
This beautiful Thomson map depicts Scotland at an interesting moment in its history. Napoleon had been defeated, but the costly war left the United Kingdom sliding into post-war economic depression. The drastic drop in wages in Scotland, which had a far more literate and skilled labor pool than other parts of the UK, resulted in unrest which grew from 1815 to culmination in 1820 with the Radicals’ War. The map is beautifully engraved in the minimalist English style pioneered in the early part of the 19th century. Relief is shown by hachure with towns, roadways, cities, and major topographical features identified.
John Thomson (1777 - 1841) was a Scottish cartographer, publisher, and bookbinder active in Edinburgh during the early part of the 19th century, who had apprenticed under Edinburgh bookbinder Robert Alison. Thomson became one of the leading publishers in the Edinburgh school of cartography, which flourished in the early decades of the 19th century. Thomson and his contemporaries (Pinkerton and Cary) redefined European cartography by abandoning typical 18th century decorative elements such as elaborate title cartouches and fantastic beasts in favor of detail and accuracy.
Condition: This hand coloured map on heavy paper is in A condition. Thinning in one small place on verso.
Inventory #11565
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