Antique Hobson Fox Hunting Map of Surrey, Surrey Union Hunt, circa 1870

About this sheet

Engraved by J. and C. Walker for Hobson's Fox-Hunting Atlas circa 1870, this antique fox hunting map of Surrey shows four hunt countries in hand color. The Royal Hunt, in pink, holds the north-east corner toward Kingston and the Thames; Surrey Union, in yellow, runs through the west toward Farnham and the Hampshire border; the Surrey is lettered in blue across the center around Guildford and Dorking; and Mr Napper's country, in green, lies in the south around Godalming, with Crawley and Horsham spilling in along the southern border from Sussex.

The North Downs running east to west across the center of the sheet and the sandy heaths of the west are rendered with careful hachuring, while the nearness of London shows in the density of roads converging on the northern edge. The Wey and the Mole are drawn in blue running north to the Thames, and the London and South Western Railway's routes through the county are traced in red toward Guildford, Epsom and Reigate. A reference table for the hundreds occupies the lower left corner, and the cartouche, with the county name and the Walker imprint, sits at upper right.

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. Surrey Union and the Surrey appear as two distinct countries sharing the county between them, together with the Royal Hunt and Mr Napper's smaller country in the south.

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

The sheet is in good condition for its age, with age toning, stronger towards the edges, a central fold, a few small blue color specks near the border and light spotting. 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.