The maps from The Illustrated Atlas were first published in serial form to a target audience that led insular lives due to the expense and hardship of travel. All that changed as the progress of the nineteenth century brought swift and dramatic changes in public awareness of far away places. Tallis' maps no doubt played an important role in this dramatic awakening. These maps not only provided up-to-date geographical knowledge, but also used vignette views within the map's design to show the native people and their occupations, cities and points of interest. The maps hark back to a cartographic tradition from the Dutch mapmakers of the seventeenth century with finely engraved decorative borders. The maps were drawn and engraved by John Rapkin with views drawn and engraved by a number of prominent artists. The maps were issued as a complete volume from 1851 until about 1865. Some of the maps were also published in other history books published by Tallis including British Colonies and, without the vignettes, in geographical dictionaries and encyclopedias until about 1880.

A. The World on Mercators Projection Shewing the Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, from Illustrated Atlas and Modern History of the World, hand color (12.8 x 9.5"). Steel engraved world map produced to celebrate the incomparable explorations by Captain James Cook. The complete path of the three voyages throughout the world are shown by different style engraved lines with dates. A well rendered vignette of Cook's ship Endeavour is featured at bottom. Decorative border with a vignette of native weapons. Condition: Original outline color with a hint of toning and soiling along the edge of the sheet.

B. [Portrait] Captain James Cook, from The British Colonies, black & white (6.3 x 10"). Crisp portrait of Captain Cook surrounded in an elaborate border. Condition: Small damp stain just below the portrait and some minor soiling along the edges.

References:

Condition: B+

See above.