Northern Hemisphere by John Thomson

Code: 54241

Date: 1816

Long title:Northern Hemisphere Projected on the Plan of the Horizon of London.    Copper engraving with original hand colouring. Overall size: 53.2cms x 67.7ms.  Image size: 504mm x mm 504mm (hemisphere size). Centrefold as issued.  Shows North Pole in top third of map and a highly detailed Africa   with large tract marked : Unknown.  The tracks of Captain Cook are delineated.  One small 1cm hole near edge top left else stunning map in very good condition.
  John Thomson was one of the leading exponents of the Edinburgh school of cartography which reached its zenith between 1800 and 1830. Thomson & his contemporaries such as Pinkerton and Cary redefined European cartography by abandoning such 18th century decorative elements  as elaborate title cartouches and fantastic beasts in favour of detail and accuracy. Thomson’s principle works include the Thomson’s New General Atlas published from 1814 though 1827 (from which this map originates) and his Atlas of Scotland. The Atlas of Scotland, a work of groundbreaking detail and dedication would eventually bankrupt the Thomson firm in 1830.  His maps are prized today for the quality of their detail, their size and the attractiveness of the original colouring.54241