Thomas Moule (1784 – 1851) was a writer, bookseller, publisher, topographer and a scholar in heraldry. His varied career led him in 1830 to produce a series of English county map based on his own travel. He wrote that he has “with expensive diligence personally visited every county in England, excepting only Devonshire and Cornwall.” His maps were delicately engraved on steel in a highly decorative style, featured such embellishments as armorial bearings, figures, fancy borders and vignettes of local interest. This amount of ornamentation in mapmaking was unusual for the period as most mapmaker’s were instead creating scientifically accurate, austere works. His series of county maps were originally published in separate sections for each county (1830-32), then subsequently published in a two-volume work: The English Counties Delineated…, (1836). Beginning in 1841, the maps appeared in Barclays Complete and Universal English Dictionary.

This lot of decorative steel engraved maps provides detailed information of their respective counties, cities, towns, roads, canals and parks.

Northumberland, circa 1850, (7.5 x 10.8"). Ornately surrounded by gothic style border with flowers, various coats of arms including two being held aloft by angels. Includes vignette view of Alnwick Castle, a knights helmet and weaponry. Close trimmed as issued, otherwise a beautiful, flawless example. (A)

Cumberland, circa 1850, (7.5 x 10.3"). Includes vignette of Carlisle, coats of arms and a priest. Surrounded by decorative border with complex architectural feature at top. (A).

Durham , (10 x 7.8"). Vignette views of Durham and Raby Castle. Includes coats of arms with one being held by a woman. Fine, flawless example except for very small chip from lower edge. (A)

Lancashire , circa 1850, (7.8 x 10.2"). Includes vignette of Nelson's Monument, Liverpool. Surrounded by highly decorative border comprised of various creatures, fruit and coats of arms, and a pillar with figures representing Science, Voyage, and Industry. Short edge tear just to edge of pillar at left, otherwise fine with beautiful impression and coloring. (A)

Westmoreland, circa 1850, (10.2 x 8"). Vignettes of Brougham Hall and Keep of Appleby Castle with the coats of arms of family Kendal. (A)

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