Antique Maps of Africa

18th Century Antique Map of the Continent of Africa dated 1797 by Homann Heirs

 

We have a selection of antique maps of Africa from the 18th and 19th century. This large map by Homann dated 1797 depicts the whole continent of Africa with significant areas as yet unexplored and surveyed.  To the North East is Saudi Arabia and Persia (Iran). Features early hand colouring.

 

Africa by John Rapkin - 19th century decorative map

 

Published by John Tallis, London and New York, drawn and engraved by John Rapkin. Very decorative mid-Victorian map of the continent of Africa. Vignettes of Arab family of Algeria, Bosjeman Hottentots Wild Bushmen, St. Helena, Korranna Hottentots and Bedouin Arab Encampment. A hand coloured, steel plate line engraving.

 

Large 19th Century Wall Map of Africa by Bartholomew

An extensive, folding map of Africa, printed in colour and encased in a hardback cover.  Dated circa 1898 this political map has inserts  featuring the Ascension Island, St. Helena, Gibraltar, River Nile, Sierra Leone, Cape Town, British Isles, Ashanti and Cairo. Coloured coded to indicate the colonial influences of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

View all our antique maps of Africa here 

The Decorative 19th Century Maps by John Rapkin

 

Clifton and Bristol circa 1851 by John Rapkin for John Tallis

 

 John Rapkin (fl. 1835-65)
A nineteenth century map maker and engraver, best known for his work on the Illustrated Atlas of the World 1849-53 for John Tallis and Co. noted for their beautifully decorative borders and later re-issued by the London Printing and Publishing Co. London and New York.

 

These maps are often embelished with vignette illustrations relating to the specific map.  The Bristol illustrations were drawn and engraved by H. Winkles, including Clifton from Rownham Perry, Clifton Observatory, High Cross College Green, Redcliff Church, Broad Quay, South Side of Bristol Cathedral.

The maps are drawn and engraved by Rapkin himself.   Bristol was published in a double page format and is twice the size of some other maps in this attractive collection.

 

 

Australia by Rapkin circa 1851 

Rapkin's map of Australia is decorated by illustrations drawn by J. Marchant and engraved by J. B. Allen including 'Natives of the tribe of Bogan, Sydney, Kangaroos, Natives of Australia Felix, Australian Parrots and Cockatoo'.  Much of the interior hasn't yet been surveyed and is filled with two tables.

 

United States - John Rapkin c.1851

 Very decorative mid-Victorian plan with vignettes drawn by J. Marchant and engraved by J. Rogers, including The Capitol Washington, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Washington's Monument, A Buffalo Hunt, William Penn signing a treaty with Native Americans, A USA sheild and Excelsior.

Depicts the United States from and Santa Fe north through the Missouri Territory to Canada and east to the Atlantic. A Nebraska territory extends to the Canadian border. A 'Western Territory' seems to coincide with present day Oklahoma. The map extends from Maine in the North, Florida in the South and Missouri in the West

 

View a large selection of decorative 19th century maps by John Rapkin 

 

How to Buy Antique Maps of London

 

London and Envirions by William Schmollenger for Thomas Moule, steelplate line engraving, hand coloured  c. 1837

Here's a quick guide to help find a genuine antique map of the city of London.  What to look for, where to buy and of what to be cautious.

• Look for plate marks:  These are indentation marks on the paper caused by the plate on which the map was engraved, copper up to 1820, generally close to the image, then increasingly mild steel with plate marks further from the image.
• Lithographs: These are not produced on a metal plate and therefore have no plate mark. They have a soft, tonal quality similar to pencil.  From c.1860 colour prints were produced and called chromolithographs.  Lithographs can also be hand coloured if printed in black on white.  Here is a useful video illustrating a lithographed, Victorian map of London.
• Paper:  Up to c. 1780 paper was 'laid', which means it has feint horizontal and occasional vertical indentations.  After this date, paper was more commonly produced mechanically and there is an absence of marks.  View a video here which helps with identification of paper and plate marks: Genuine antique John Speed maps
• Coloring:  Before c.1860, when mechanical printing techniques called chromolithographs became more common (See John Speed video above), all colouring was by hand and in watercolour.  Any colouring before this date denotes a modern reproduction.
• Reputable dealers: Seek out map dealers who have a proven track record and have been trading for some time.  They should be happy to supply a cerificate of authenticity, indicating date and type of colouring.  Beware map sellers who use the term 'unique' or 'vintage', these are often modern reproductions which have no intrinsic value. Caution, modern prints can also be hand coloured and some map sellers ask very high prices for these worthless reproductions, price is not a reliable indication of antiquity.  Online auction sites are often littered with reproductions and fakes. View our extensive selection of  genuine antique maps of London here 

 

Bristol by G. C. Ashmead 1871 with Hand Annotations for the Proposed Railway Network 

 Reduced from the Original Survey and corrected to 1871. Fine engraved plan on three conjoined sheets, calligraphic title and table of references, Scale approx. 1" to 1 furlong. With Reference tables of Public Buildings, Schools, Almshouses, Dissenting Chapels, Principal inns and Hotels etc.

This unique version of the map is a more scarce undisected copy, which has been inscribed and annotated in pencil and watercolour, depicting proposed railway lines and stations for the city, some of which were ultimately never built! Quite possibly the original property of a Victorian railway engineer, as, at the bottom left there are some pencil costings relating to the proposed developments, in one case totalling over £41,000!

See more here: https://www.antique-maps-online.co.uk/bristol-ashmead.html

See other Antique Maps of Bristol

Antique Pictoral Map of London circa 1901

 

 

 

Title: London in the Beginning of the 20th Century - The Pictoral Plan of London

Publication: The A.B.C. Guide to London - Charles Baker and Co. Ltd.

Date: 1901

Description: Bird's eye view of the city celebrating the start of a new century.

Condition: Folding copy as published, chromolithograph print, some wear at folds with reinforcement, advertisements verso. 

Buy this map here:  https://www.antique-maps-online.co.uk/london-baker-4157.html

Other antique and old maps of London for sale

19th century Antique Map of Perth, Scotland by Rapkin

 

 

 

Title: Perth

Publication: The London Printing and Publishing Company

Date: c.1851

Description: Drawn and engraved by John Rapkin. Very decorative mid-Victorian plan with vignettes drawn and engraved by H. Winkles, including View on the Kinfaun's Castle, Pert Harbour, Scone Palace.

Hand coloured.

Buy this map here:  https://www.antique-maps-online.co.uk/perth-rapkin-3626.html

Other antique maps of Scotland for sale

18th Century Map of Essex by Herman Moll

 

 

 

Title: Essex By H. MOLL Geographer

Publication: A New Description of England and Wales

Date: 1724

Description: Detailed and highly decorative early 18th century map of Essex by Herman Moll, first editon, features archeological and historical illustrations to the borders including Stone Caverns at Tilbury, several antique coins and 'A Plan of ye Late Breach of Dagenham'.

 

Buy this map here:  https://www.antique-maps-online.co.uk/essex-moll-3945.html

Other antique maps of Essex for sale