Old Maps of the Channel Islands

18th Century Map of Channel Islands, Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey, Sark 

This decorative antique  map of the Channel Islands by Thomas Kitchin is dated circa 1753 was published in a series for the Gentleman's Magazine.  It is hand coloured and very attractive.

 

The Islands of Guernsey and Jersey by John Rocque

 from "Small British Atlas" c.1753, featuring Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark and the Scilly Isles.

 John Rocque
Of Huguenot extraction, Rocque began his career in 1734: his French extraction is reflected in the subtitle to his Small British Atlas, which was Le Petit Atlas Britannique. Surveyor, engraver andpublisher, Rocque earned a considerable reputation as a skilled large scale surveyor, especially for his town plans which included a very large scale plane of London on twenty four sheets, and a large scale map of Exeter. By 1753 he had become Topographer to the Prince of Wales.

A fire in 1750 destroyed a large amount of his stock . On his death (c.1762), his wife Mary A. Rocque carried on the business.

John Rocque antique map of the Channel Islands
Other old maps of the Channel Islands

18th Century Sea Chart of the Isles of Scilly

This antiquarian chart by Captain Greenville Collins is dated circa 1756 and features Land's End, The Lizard and Scilly Isles

Capt. Greenville Collins
In 1676 Collins was commissioned by Charles II, and appointed by Samuel Pepys (who was then Secretary to the Admiralty), to chart the coasts of Great Britain and he produced his Great Britain's Coasting Pilot in 1693, this was the first original sea atlas to be produced by an Englishman.

Collins engaged the services of various engravers to cut the plates including Herman Moll, Harris, Moxon and Lamb, final publication was twelve years after the initial commission.

Other Antique Sea Charts