115 W Schmollinger 1836

W Schmollinger (fl.1831-37) engraved a number of maps for Thomas Moule’s English Counties (111), engraving some 25 maps for that popular work. Little is known of Schmollinger outside his work on the Moule maps. He seems to have been a specialist map engraver, at least he is so advertised in an 1837 trade directory. He had premises at 27 Goswell Terrace, Goswell Road, and later in Aldine Chambers, Paternoster Row. He may well have been the son of the Joseph Schmollinger and Mary Drew who married at St Leonard Shoreditch in 1799.¹

In 1836 Schmollinger engraved an attractive map of Devon in a similar style to those in Moule’s English Counties. The frame, typical of Moule’s maps (although not Devon) has columns right and left with two different and very ornate stonework patterns between. The map was published by R Colliver of Exeter of whom nothing is as yet known. It has Colliver’s imprint, is dated 1836 and has been inserted into editions of The History of Devonshire from the earliest period to the present by Rev. Thomas Moore. Illustrated by a series of views drawn and engraved by and under the direction of William Deeble.

The History was issued as a part-work and was advertised in other publications.² The work was published in London by Robert Jennings, 62 Cheapside, and the first issue appeared on September 1, 1829 - exactly the same day as Henry Fisher's Devon & Cornwall Illustrated (see entry 102). The first part issue (about fifty numbers were planned) contained the title page, two engravings and twenty-four pages of text which, apart from the extra title page, was the expected format. The two maps, both promised in the initial Mode of Publication printed on the cover of each Number were then added when the volumes were bound. The book was usually published in two volumes; the second volume having a town plan of Exeter, also by Schmollinger, and also published by Colliver and similarly inserted;some binders chose to bind it in three parts - parts one and two with the text; volume 3 being the engravings. Final publication was delayed and the maps did not appear until 1835 and 1836 despite the 1829 date on the title page.³ Henry Fisher published the first issue of his series, Devonshire Illustrated, on the same day but was far more successful: see Kit Batten Jennings vs. Fisher.

The county map is unusual in having vignette views of Tavistock Abbey and County Sessions House, neither of which appear on any other maps of Devon. The former view looks a little bit out of place, almost as if the Reference to Hundreds might have been moved to create space for it.

Size 205 x 270 mm.                                                                                                                                      English Miles (20 = 45 mm).

DEVONSHIRE. Vignettes of Tavistock Abbey and County Sessions House. Imprint: Pub. by R. COLLIVER. EXETER. 1836. (CeOS) and signature: Engraved by W. Schmollinger Paternoster Row London. (AeOS).