About this sheet
This is an original antique map of France, a steel engraving colored by hand, titled "FRANCE IN PROVINCES". It shows the country divided into its historic provinces rather than departments, with Normandie, Bretagne, Champagne, Bourgogne, Languedoc, Guyenne, Provence and Dauphiné among the names in large lettering. The provinces are outlined in color, with a pale blue wash along the coasts. The map runs from the south coast of England to the Pyrenees, with Flanders, Luxembourg, Savoy and Nice at the edges.
The title cartouche at lower left reads "By T. Hewett Key M.A. Prof. Latin Univ. Lond." and "Published Under the Superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge". Four scales follow: "French Leagues 25 = 1 Degree", "French Post Leagues 28½ = 1 Degree", "Myriametres 11,1 = 1 Degree" and "British Miles 69,1 = 1 Degree", then the abbreviations "R. River. M. Mountain. L. Lake. I. Island. Ru. Ruins." Below the border are the imprint "London, Edward Stanford 6 Charing Cross." and, at right, the engraver's line "J. & C. Walker, Sculpt.", with the plate number "9." outside the lower right corner.
The plate comes from The Harrow Atlas of Modern Geography, published in London in 1858 by Edward Stanford of 6 Charing Cross and sold at Harrow by Crossley and Clarke, booksellers to Harrow School. Its maps were selected from those of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, founded in London in 1826, which issued its series of maps in parts from 1829 until the Society was wound up in 1848. Edward Stanford later issued the maps under his own imprint, as this sheet shows. The map marks the line of a "Roman Way" running southeast from Reims and the "Canal de Robine" near Narbonne, and it shows Savoy and Nice ("Nice or Nizza") outside the French border.
It pairs naturally with the map of France in departments.
Condition: Light handling wear to the top left corner; a small irregularity of a few millimeters to the left edge. Light, uneven toning. A few small foxing spots in the margin. A few small light flecks in the printed area. A center fold, as issued.
This is an original antique map, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.
