J&F Tallis Eastern Hemisphere + J&F Tallis Western Hemisphere c1850.

$1,200.00

World Map in Hemispheres by J. & F. Tallis c1850. First edition pair of Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere antique maps. Contemporary pen outlining of countries and states and pale wash along coastlines, with fine additional later colour to the wonderful decorative borders definitely adds to the value of this pair of first edition Tallis antique maps.

Tallis maps have a distinctive style of presentation with finely engraved artistic borders of vines, foliage and swirling lines, a simple “cartouche” frame for the title, and small “vignettes” of important views, people, flora and fauna from the region of the map. The most decorative of Tallis maps are undoubtedly this pair of Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere. Each map within a circle is surrounded by a wide border incorporating wildlife and people in their native costumes – all viewed through windows of elegant twining foliage.

Following in the footsteps of their publisher father, John Tallis with his brother Frederick established the J. & F. Tallis publishing company in 1842. The business moved to Smithfield in 1846 but closed in 1849. Frederick left the company in 1851, and from 1851 to 1854 maps were published under the name John Tallis & Co. Over the years, Tallis and Company had offices In London, Edinburgh, Dublin and New York – successively known as L. Tallis, J. & F. Tallis, John Tallis & Co. and The London Printing and Publishing Company. As principal engraver of maps for Tallis, John Rapkin’s ability and finesse was greatly responsible for the Company’s reputation for accurate information and visually attractive maps. As with all steel engravings, they were first drawn and then skilfully engraved – in reverse from a mirror image. Such illustrations were slow and expensive to produce. In 1865 Tallis was among the last of the publishers of decoratively embellished maps.

There is slight soiling down the central vertical folds (which facilitated publication in an atlas half the size), and around the edges of the pages, and there is minimal margin at the base of the maps (particularly with the Eastern Hemisphere). These maps are still in very good condition. Each map measures 267 x 362mm (10 1/2 x 14 1/4 inches). They look much better side by side. Together in one frame they would be spectacular!