Antique Hobson Fox Hunting Map of Huntingdonshire, Fitzwilliam Hunt, circa 1870

About this sheet

Hand colored to show three hunt countries, this antique fox hunting map of Huntingdonshire was engraved by J. and C. Walker for Hobson's Fox-Hunting Atlas, circa 1870. Earl Fitzwilliam's country, in blue, takes the whole northern half of the county, lettered in bold capitals across the center; Oakley, in green, holds the south-west corner toward Kimbolton and the Bedfordshire border; and Cambridgeshire, in pink, runs along the eastern edge toward Saint Ives and the county town. Whittlesea Mere in the north-east is named but shown without water color, since it had been reclaimed by drainage by the date of the survey.

The fen-edge geography shows in the straight drove roads and field boundaries of the eastern parishes, contrasted with the irregular lanes of the boulder-clay country in the west. A reference table for the hundreds sits at lower left, with a note of the borough of Huntingdon, its place of election and polling places at lower right. The cartouche, with the county name and the Walker imprint, and the compass star occupy the upper right, and the plate is numbered 17.

This is a leaf from Hobson's Fox-Hunting Atlas in the edition of circa 1870. Compiled by William Colling Hobson and published by Longman and Company, Paternoster Row, the atlas was first issued around 1850 and reissued into the 1870s, covering every county of England and the three Ridings of Yorkshire. Its maps were engraved on steel by the London firm of John and Charles Walker, and the hunt boundaries are in original hand color, applied in outline. The sheet records one of the smallest English counties, its whole area accounted for by just three neighboring hunts.

An original atlas sheet, suitable for framing, this antique fox hunting map of Huntingdonshire 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, a central fold, a few small spots and light wear to the left edge. 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.