Arrowsmith large wall map of Ireland in fine original full wash colour
By ARROWSMITH, Aaron , 1811
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Ireland.

British Isles Ireland
  • Author: ARROWSMITH, Aaron
  • Publication place: London
  • Publisher: Published By A. Arrowsmith, Hydrographer to H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, No.10 Soho Square
  • Publication date: 1811. Additions to 1821.
  • Physical description: Engraved map, on four sheets, dissected and mounted on linen, fine original full wash-colour, housed in original green marbled paper slipcase, rubbed.
  • Dimensions: 1426 by 1812mm. (56.25 by 71.25 inches).
  • Inventory reference: 2569

Notes

Aaron Arrowsmith’s large and detailed map of Ireland.

Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823), ​”easily the foremost cartographer of his time” (R.V. Tooley), was the founder of the Arrowsmith dynasty of cartographers. Born in County Durham, he was in London by 1777 when he witnessed the will of Andrew Dury, a mapseller and publisher, and was probably training with him; he may have trained with William Faden, Geographer to the King, but was certainly employed by John Cary in 1782, as he is credited with the survey work for ​’Cary’s Actual Survey, of the Great Post Roads between London and Falmouth’, published in 1784; he is frequently credited with some of the survey work for Cary’s county atlas, ​’Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas: being a set of county maps from actual surveys’ (1787), but the sources are silent on this and by this time Arrowsmith had established his own business.

Arrowmsith’s maps set a new standard; he was assiduous in analysing and verifying his sources, discarding not only the fictional but also the uncertain, going to printed and manuscript sources for his information, and engraved in a clear and highly legible style. Arrowsmith was also diligent in revising and improving his maps to keep them current, and served as an inspiration for the next generation of (particularly American) surveyors.

Bibliography

  1. Bonar Law 222 (i).
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