A few of the maps for this atlas were first published by Dodsley in his periodical ‘The Publick Register: or, the Weekly Magazine. However, the magazine struggled to survive under the laws of the day. Stamp duty was required on all newspapers but interpretations of the law varied between 1733 and 1743. Dodsley argued that by reporting it weekly it was not news. The authorities were not convinced and, eventually, Dodsley lost the battle; the magazine market was eventually dominated by Edward Cave’s ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’. However, before the publication closed Dodsley introduced a series of six topographical descriptions accompanied by maps.

Even though the magazine had folded, it would appear that Dodsley had gathered sufficient cartographic information to advertise the publication of the ‘Geography of England’, in November of 1743. The maps themselves are attractive and show rivers, roads, county boundaries, cities, boroughs, market towns, and castles. As well as the maps of the English and Welsh counties, there is a general map of England and Wales, a plan of London, and a chart of the English Channel.