York: Thomas Hammond, 1730. First edition. Full leather binding (recently re-backed). Two fold-out engraved plates -- A Plan of the City of York and A View of the City of York., plus text ornaments and vignettes. pp. 256 + addenda, list of subscribers, errata and one page advert to the rear. This is a curious copy, as there is a frontis view of York, as called for, but it appears to be a different view from those in other copies online. The view given here is slightly small that the whole book, and is dedicated to the Right Hon Wm Stephenson, Lord Mayor. Stephenson was the mayor in 1743-4, so this must be a later addition, which also accounts for its brighter appearance. Overall this book is in very nice condition. The binding is a little rubbed, but sound, and the spine is recent. Internally sound, with moderate darkening to the pages. The map of the city has an area where it has worn thin (or label removed?).165 x 100 mm (6½ x 4 inches).

Gent, a printer and antiquary of irascible temperament received praise from DNB, p. 1101, "his topographical publications are still of value and in demand," and further, "His Life is very interesting, and deserves to be reprinted in its entirety........throwing light on manners and habits of the early eighteenth century."

Amsterdam: Hondius, Jodocus, 1610. A hand coloured composite map of Anglesey, the Isle of Wight, and the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. Circa 1610. Latin text to the verso "Anglia". This is from the Hondius printing. Double glazed and framed in a black and gilt frame. The two pages of Latin text are visible through the rear glazed panel. Very nice condition. There is a touch of darkening to the page, but very light. The crease to the centre of the page has been reinforced to the verso. The text pages are also clean and tidy. Signed in the plate ' Per Gerardum Mercatorem Cum Privilegio ' prior to his death in 1594. Hondius took over the plates from Mercator's grandson, and re-published his Atlas. 320 x 420 mm (12½ by 16½ inches).
Gerard Mercator was one of the greatest map makers ever known. He started his career as a professional instrument maker after finishing a masters degree at Louvain University and studying advanced mathematics. By the 1560's he was developing a new form of navigational projection. Rumold Mercator was his son.

1865. Twelve manuscript maps with dated inscription: "A.M. Tatham from her afft. Bro Sherman Dec. 1865". Rebound from a broken binding as a folding leporello series of maps in cloth covered boards "Bible Atlas S.R.T." on original label to the front. Binding is new and without flaws. Slight scratch to blank (back) of first map, otherwise the maps are in excellent condition.

The maps comprise: The Nations of the Ancient World, Assyria and the Adjacent Lands, Canaan in Patriarchal Ages, Canaan as Divided among The Tribes, Dominions of David and Solomon, Armenia, Egypt and Sinai Peninsula Illustrating the Journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land, Jerusalem and its Environs, The Kingdoms of Judah & Israel, Palestine in the time of Our Saviour, Modern Palestine, and The Eastern Mediterranean Illustrating the Travels of St. Paul. Each map folds out to approx. 165 x 133 mm. The maps still retain their original bright colouring.

Sherman Ralph Tatham was born in Hampstead in 1850. Educated at Winchester College 1862 - 1868, he became an architect. Tatham died in Hampstead in 1923 and is buried in Highgate Cemetery. The dedication here is to his younger sister Anna Maria Tatham.

Londres / Paris: Wichnyther / Basset, 1766. Copper engraving, beautifully hand coloured. Originally designed to be viewed through a zograscope. Title in both English and French. 23 x 41 cm (image); Bottom left reads: Published according to Act of Parliament 1766. Sheet size: 340 x 515 mm (13½ x 20¼ inches). In very good condition, with a very small loss to left edge, and some minor soiling. Blank to verso. A zograscope is an optical device for magnifying flat images, as the shape of the lens enhanced the sense of the depth shown in the picture. The precursor to 3D images! These were very fashionable in the late 18th century. Gravure sur cuivre, magnifiquement colorée à la main. Conçu à l'origine pour être vu à travers un zograscope. Titre en anglais et en français. 23 x 41 cm (image) ; En bas à gauche se lit : publié conformément à la loi du Parlement 1766. Taille de la feuille : 340 x 515 mm (13½ x 20¼ pouces). En très bon état, avec un très petit manque au bord gauche et quelques salissures mineures. Blanc au verso. Un zograscope est un appareil optique pour agrandir des images plates, car la forme de l'objectif améliore le sens de la profondeur montrée dans l'image. Le précurseur des images 3D ! Celles-ci étaient très à la mode à la fin du XVIIIe siècle.

London: 1760. Rare Latin / Spanish version of this copper engraving of Somerset House and St. Mary le Strand in London. Circa 1770. Originally designed to be viewed through a zograscope. Good condition. Slightly wrinkled / creased, with some small closed tears to sheet edge (not affecting the actual engraving). A few pale spots of foxing. Neat repair to verso. Light water stains, only obvious from otherwise blank verso. 280 x 420 mm (image); 306 x 490 mm (sheet).
A zograscope is an optical device for magnifying flat images, as the shape of the lens enhanced the sense of the depth shown in the picture. The precursor to 3D images! These were very fashionable in the late 18th century. Rare version latine/espagnole de cette gravure sur cuivre de Somerset House et St Mary le Strand à Londres. Vers 1770. Conçu à l'origine pour être vu à travers un zograscope. Bonne condition. Légèrement froissé / froissé, avec quelques petites déchirures fermées sur le bord de la feuille (n'affectant pas la gravure proprement dite). Quelques taches pâles de rousseurs. Réparation soignée au verso. Légères taches d'eau, évidentes uniquement à partir du verso autrement vierge.28 x 42 cm (image); 36 x 49 cm (feuille).
Un zograscope est un appareil optique pour agrandir des images plates, car la forme de la lentille améliore le sens de la profondeur montrée dans l'image. Le précurseur des images 3D ! Celles-ci étaient très à la mode à la fin du XVIIIe siècle.

Paris: Maillet, 1760. Scarce copper engraving, finely hand coloured. Originally designed to be viewed through a zograscope. Title in French. Behind neat cream passe partout. 24 x 37 cm (image); actual size: 335 x 475 mm (13¼ x 18¾ inches). In an excellent condition for such a scarce item. Blank to verso. A zograscope is an optical device for magnifying flat images, as the shape of the lens enhanced the sense of the depth shown in the picture. The precursor to 3D images! These were very fashionable in the late 18th century. Rare gravure sur cuivre, finement colorée à la main. Conçu à l'origine pour être vu à travers un zograscope. Titre en français. Derrière un passe partout crème soigné. 24 x 37 cm (image) ; taille réelle : 335 x 475 mm (13¼ x 18¾ pouces). En excellent état pour un objet si rare. Blanc au verso. Un zograscope est un appareil optique pour agrandir des images plates, car la forme de l'objectif améliore le sens de la profondeur montrée dans l'image. Le précurseur des images 3D ! Celles-ci étaient très à la mode à la fin du XVIIIe siècle.

Paris: 1770. Copper engraving, beautifully hand coloured. Originally designed to be viewed through a zograscope. Title in French. Shows Geldersekade and the Schreierstoren with its bridge. After Jan de Beijer. In very good condition, under neat card mount. Visible area within card mount: 315 x 415 mm (12½ x 16¼ inches).
A zograscope is an optical device for magnifying flat images, as the shape of the lens enhanced the sense of the depth shown in the picture. The precursor to 3D images! These were very fashionable in the late 18th century. Gravure sur cuivre, magnifiquement colorée à la main. Conçu à l'origine pour être vu à travers un zograscope. Titre en français. Montre la Geldersekade avec le Schreierstoren et son pont.En très bon état, sous passe-partout soigné. 315 x 415 mm
Un zograscope est un appareil optique pour agrandir des images plates, car la forme de l'objectif améliore le sens de la profondeur montrée dans l'image. Le précurseur des images 3D ! Celles-ci étaient très à la mode à la fin du XVIIIe siècle.

Amsterdam: Wed. Aart Dirksz. Oossaan, 1694. A lovely copper plate engraving of the Wester Kerk. Printed on two sheets, pasted together. A large print, believed to be from the large paper copy of the Beschryvinge van Amsterdam, Commelin's seminal work. Good clean impression on clean heavy laid paper. The paper holds a watermark of three crescent moons. This is often seen in Islamic printing, and was probably from Italian paper stock of the mid to late eighteenth century. Image size 26cm x 34cm. Sheet size 43cm x 50.5cm. A lovely uncoloured example of this engraving. First Edition

. Une belle gravure sur cuivre de la Wester Kerk. Imprimée sur deux feuilles collées l'une à l'autre. Une grande impression, que l'on croit provenir de la grande copie papier de la Beschryvinge van Amsterdam, l'ouvrage fondamental de Commelin. Bonne impression propre sur un papier vergé épais et propre. Le papier contient un filigrane de trois croissants de lune. Ce type de filigrane est fréquent dans l'imprimerie islamique et provient probablement d'un papier italien du milieu ou de la fin du dix-huitième siècle. Taille de l'image 26cm x 34cm. Taille de la feuille 43cm x 50.5cm. Un bel exemple non coloré de cette gravure.