Malay Archipelago or East India Islands

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: 4/10/024

Date Acquired: 11/10/2021

Dealers ID No.: 73741

Description: John Tallis was a prominent British map publisher who began his London career in London during the 1840s with a series of London street views. He later entered into a partnership with Frederick Tallis, possibly his brother, but their collaboration ended in 1849. For the Great Exhibition of 1851, John Tallis published The Illustrated Atlas, which included a detailed map of the Malay Peninsula. This map also depicted Borneo, the Indonesian Archipelago, New Guinea, the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, and the northern coast of Australia. It was intricately engraved by John Rapkin.nThe map featured decorative vignettes designed by H. Warren and engraved by T. Smith. These included scenes of indigenous people from New Guinea, a "bee bear" (likely a sun bear), a sailboat before Victoria Mount in New Guinea, and a picturesque village with palm trees in Sarawak, Borneo. These artistic elements added both charm and context to the geographical details.nThe maps from The Illustrated Atlas were later reissued by the London Printing & Publishing Company, which preserved the Tallis imprint, ensuring his lasting reputation in the field of cartography. In 1858, Tallis ventured into publishing the popular Illustrated News of the World and National Portrait Gallery of Eminent Personages. He sold the publication in 1861, and it ceased operation in 1863.

Engraver: Rapkin, John (1813-1899)

First published: Martin, R. Montgomery The Illustrated Atlas, And Modern History Of The World Geographical, Political, Commercial & Statistical, London; New York, J. & F. Tallis. 1851

Mapmaker: Rapkin, John (1813-1899)

Price: 425

Primary Category: Southeast Asia

Purchase Reference: Ledger 2022

Rarity: R3 Uncommon – dealers can usually obtain a copy

Sheet size (cm): 37.5×26.5

Technique: Steel Engraving

This state: 1851