| Method | Copper engraved |
| Artist | Rocque, John |
| Published | [London, c.1764] |
| Dimensions | 155 x 192 mm |
| Notes |
A small map of the East Riding of Yorkshire, originally engraved in 1746 for The English Traveller: Giving a Description of Those Parts of Great Britain called England and Wales. Although usually attributed to John Rocque, this set of county maps was most likely engraved by the printer Thomas Read for the English Traveller. The plates were later reissued in three editions of Rocque's The Small British Atlas, unchanged in 1753, and then with added pagination in 1762 and 1764. John Rocque (1709-1762) was a Hugenot refugee who came to England as a baby in 1709 with his parents, fleeing persecution in France. In addition to his work as surveyor and mapmaker, Rocque was an engraver and map-seller. He was also involved in gardening as a young man, living with his brother Bartholomew, who was a landscape gardener, and producing plans for parterres, perhaps recording pre-existing designs, but few details of this work are known. Rocque produced engraved plans of the gardens at Wrest Park (1735), Claremont (1738), Charles Hamilton's naturalistic landscape garden at Painshill Park, Surrey (1744), Wanstead House (1745) and Wilton House (1746). Rocque is now mainly remembered for his Map of London, published in twenty four sheets in 1746. It was by far the most detailed map of London published up to that time, and remains the most detailed map of eighteenth century London today. Rocque also published another smaller-scale map of London in sixteen sheets at the same time. His success as a cartographer brought him the appointment as cartographer to Frederick, Prince of Wales in 1751. A fire in 1750 destroyed his premises and stock, but by 1753 he was employing ten draughtsmen, and published The Small British Atlas: Being a New set of Maps of all the Counties of England and Wales. Rocque's 1756 map of Dublin featured on an Irish ten pound bank note. He married twice. His widow continued the business after his death. Condition: Central vertical fold, as issued. Printers crease to right of central fold. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £80.00 |
| Stock ID | 48053 |