A small line at the bottom of this map (click here to view) provides the following information: ‘London, Published by J Harrison, No. 115 Newgate Street, as the Act directs. April 20, 1787.
It was originally one of 38 plates of the counties of England and Wales, and formed part of a large atlas, published in 1791, which sold for three guineas.
Harrison boasted that his maps were: “descriptive of the extent, boundaries, rivers, lakes, canals, soil, mines, minerals, curious plants, husbandry, and evry curiosity that is nearly connected with the maps. The whole containing the most useful, entertaining and instructive selection of the kind, that has yet appeared at the price of 3l. 3s.”
But it’s the second map we have which was published in 1787. And it clearly lacks the fine detail contained in the other example (click here to view). I’m not sure why two county maps would be published in the same year. Perhaps it was in response to a Government Act.
Although this map doesn’t show as many roads as the other example, it highlights the main routes. And again clearly indicates why Melton Mowbray has grown in importance in comparison with Waltham.
