Antique map of Ireland. Keith Johnston, FRSE, c1861.
$450.00
Wonderfully detailed, finely engraved Ireland antique map c1861.
By Queen's Geographer, Alexander Keith Johnston (1804-1871), this has the most comprehensive geographical detail of any antique map of Ireland map that we have seen. Engraved and printed by W. & A.K. Johnston, Edinburgh, for Keith Johnston's Royal Atlas, with contemporary pen highlighting of counties and towns, and additional later fine colour wash. This map was published circa 1861 by William Blackwood & Sons of Edinburgh & London. First published in 1861, 'Keith Johnston's Royal Atlas was updated and reissued many times, with Thomas Brumby Johnston (1814-1897), who joined the firm in 1838, continuing the revisions from 1887 to 1897.
William Johnston (1802-1888) started as an engraver and printer in 1825. In 1932 Sir William Johnston was appointed Lord Provost of Edinburgh, convenor of the City of Edinburgh local authority. In 1826 William’s younger brother (Alexander) Keith Johnston (1804-1871) joined the family publishing house. After university Keith Johnston trained with international geographers, including Alexander von Humboldt. In 1841 his first atlas National Atlas of General Geography was published, resulting in his 1843 appointment as Geographer Royal for Scotland. He adopted the title of 'Geographer at Edinburgh in Ordinary to the Queen'.
This is a relatively large map which was published in an atlas half its size so has a horizontal central fold which has been reinforced by conservation tape. There is slight age discolouration towards the edges of the map (which is to be expected), but the colour distracts from that. Map page size is 465 x 370mm (18 3/8 x 14 1/2 inches). To map border meaasures 425 x 322mm (16 3/4 x 12 5/8 inches).
