42 Emanuel Bowen 1763

The Large English Atlas with maps engraved by Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin had appeared in 1760 (37). Not long after Bowen produced a similar set of maps for The Royal English Atlas which was to a great extent a copy of the former work somewhat reduced in size (folio, 44 maps). The title is in a new frame - actually a vignette scene of country life. The vast majority of the historical and geographical material, a hallmark of Bowen’s work, is retained although sometimes shorter. A text on South Molton replaces that of Tiverton and some of the others lose a line or two; only the text on Totnes is appreciably shorter than before. An attractive vignette of Exeter Cathedral replaces the inset map of Plymouth. The title vignette with scenes of cider making is a reflection of Devon’s importance in this respect. In 1750, possibly ten million gallons were made in the county: some was even made into still liquor; and wassailing was still carried on at Christmas time.¹  In 1763 a Cyder Tax was imposed causing widespread unrest in the county and it was repealed in 1766.² By 1746 Thomas  and Elizabeth Bakewell had moved to Cornhill where they published an issue of Blome´s maps (see 17.5). Elizabeth took over the business on Thomas’ death and was involved in selling Kitchin’s England Illustrated. She also published jointly with John Tinney.

A third set of maps, smaller again, appeared in the Atlas Anglicanus (48) which also incorporated most of the text; Bowen and Owen had introduced text in the Britannia Depicta maps (24).

Size 405 x 490 mm. British Statute Miles (15 = 71 mm).

An ACCURATE MAP of DEVONSHIRE Divided into its HUNDREDS, Drawn from the best Authorities & Illustrated with Historical Extracts relative to the Natural produce, Trade & Manufactures of the County. City and principal Towns: Describing also the Church Livings, Charity Schools &c. with other Improvements By Eman Bowen Geogr to His Majesty on a stone tablet in vignette of cider making and a boy fishing. Imprint: Printed for John Bowles & Son at the Black Horse, and Mess: Bakewell & Parker in Cornhill, T Bowles in St Pauls Church Yard, H Overton without Newgate, T Kitchin on Holborn Hill, R Sayer and I Ryall in Fleet Street, (CeOS). Plate number No.10 (AeOS). Graticuled at 10` intervals.