Antique Hobson Fox Hunting Map of Devonshire, Mr. Furse's Hunt, circa 1870

About this sheet

At least seven separate hunt countries are colored by hand across this antique fox hunting map of Devonshire, engraved by J. and C. Walker for Hobson's Fox-Hunting Atlas circa 1870, making it one of the more crowded sheets in the atlas. North Devon runs in yellow along the northern coast toward Barnstaple and Ilfracombe; Tiverton in pink through the north-east; Mr Furse's country in pink in the west around Holsworthy, enclosing a small enclave outlined in blue and lettered Eggesford near Chulmleigh; Mr Marshall's country in pink in the far south-west toward Launceston; Mr Morgan's in green through the south-west toward Callington; Mr Trelawny's in yellow further south; and Devon itself, lettered in blue, across the broad central belt of the county including Dartmoor. A further hunt country is named toward the south coast near Torbay.

Dartmoor's granite upland is rendered in heavy hachure shading at the center of the county, with the principal tors and rivers named, while the north and south coasts are picked out with their combes and river mouths. A long reference table at lower right keys the divisions and hundreds established at the 1830 Quarter Sessions, and the cartouche sits at lower right rather than the more usual upper corner, alongside the compass star.

The process is steel engraving, with the hunt boundaries in original hand color, applied in outline. J. and C. Walker, the London engravers John and Charles Walker, made the plates for William Colling Hobson, who compiled the atlas, and Longman and Company of Paternoster Row published it. First issued around 1850 and reissued into the 1870s, Hobson's Fox-Hunting Atlas covers every county of England and the three Ridings of Yorkshire; this example is from the edition of circa 1870. The high count of named countries reflects a county where hunting territory was parcelled among more private and subscription packs than in almost any other English county at the date.

An original atlas sheet, suitable for framing, this antique fox hunting map of Devonshire will appeal to hunting families, to collectors of the county and to anyone with a connection to the place.

The sheet is in good condition for its age, with age toning, stronger towards the edges, light soiling, a central fold and slight wear at the lower end of the fold. Please review the images for further condition details.

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.