Antique Hobson Fox Hunting Map of Dorsetshire, Blackmore Vale Hunt, circa 1870

About this sheet

Hand colored to show four hunt countries, with a fifth lettered at its eastern edge, this antique fox hunting map of Dorsetshire was engraved by J. and C. Walker for Hobson's Fox-Hunting Atlas, circa 1870. Blackmore Vale lies in pink through the north around Sturminster Newton and Sherborne; South Wilts, lettered in blue, spills in from the Wiltshire border in the north-east; Mr Farquharson's country, by far the largest, covers the central belt in orange from Bridport in the west to Wimborne in the east; and Charborough, in yellow, holds the south-east corner toward Poole and Wareham, its name taken from Charborough Park. The New Forest country is lettered in green at the extreme eastern edge where Dorset borders Hampshire.

Dorset's chalk downland is rendered with fine hachuring across the center of the sheet, and the coastline from Lyme Regis to Poole Harbour is drawn in detail, with Portland Bill projecting at the south. An extensive reference table at lower left keys the divisions, hundreds and liberties established at the Quarter Sessions, a larger legend than on most sheets, given the complexity of Dorset's local government geography. The cartouche and compass star sit at upper left, and the plate is numbered 10 at the top corners.

William Colling Hobson compiled the atlas, J. and C. Walker engraved its maps on steel, and Longman and Company of Paternoster Row, London, published it, first around 1850 and in reissues running into the 1870s. Hobson's Fox-Hunting Atlas records the boundaries of the hunt countries in hand color and marks the places of meeting of the foxhounds; this sheet comes from the edition of circa 1870, with its boundaries in original outline hand color.

For hunting families, county collectors and anyone with a connection to the place, this antique fox hunting map of Dorsetshire is an original atlas sheet, well suited to framing.

The sheet is in good condition for its age, with light age toning, stronger towards the edges, a central fold and a few small spots in the margins. 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.