1851 Tallis and Rapkin Map of Australia

This is a beautiful 1851 example of John Tallis and John Rapkin's 1851 map of Australia. It covers the entire continent of Australia along with Tasmania or as it was known at the time, Van Diemen's Island. An interesting map issued just as most of the earth's non-polar shore has been explored. Gone are many of the errors of the previous century with the coastlines accurately rendered. Inland though, much remained unexplored. Vast stretches of unmapped territory and speculative cartography fill central Australia. The early colonies in Western Australia and New South Wales are noted. In 1851, though not noted on this map, Victoria would become an independent colony separate from New South Wales.

This map is engraved by J. B. Allen and includes illustrations by J. Marchant of Sydney, Natives of the tribe of Bogan, Natives of Australia Felix, Australian Parrots and Cockatoo and Kangaroos. The whole has the highly decorative presentation and elaborate border distinctive of Tallis maps. This map was issued as part of the 1851 edition of John Tallis and Company's The Illustrated Atlas, And Modern History of the World.

Cartographer

John Tallis (November 7, 1817 - June 3, 1876) was an English map publisher and bookseller. Born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, he worked in his father's Birmingham agency from 1836 to 1842. Around 1838, Tallis published a collection of London Street Views and entered into a partnership with his brother Frederick Tallis from 1842 to 1849. Tallis and Company also published the Illustrated Atlas of the World (1849). Also in 1849, Tallis traveled to New York City, where he established agencies in 6 American cities. After returning from New York, Tallis paid his brother £10,000 for his share of the business and subsequently operated as John Tallis and Company until 1854. By 1853, John Tallis and Company had agencies in 26 cities in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada and employed over 500 people. On February 24, 1854, Tallis brought on a new partner, Ephraim Tipton Brain (1791 - 1876), forming the London Printing and Publishing Company. After a series of setbacks, however, Tallis had to sell his estate and by 1861 was declared bankrupt. Friends and former employees kept him afloat, but none of his 'various ambitious projects' proved lucrative. Tallis married Jane Ball on December 6, 1836, in Birmingham, and they lived together until she died in 1862. Tallis remarried on June 27, 1863, to Mary Stephens, with whom he had two children.   Further Details...

Source

Tallis, J. and F., The Illustrated Atlas, And Modern History Of The World Geographical, Political, Commercial & Statistical, 1851.    

Condition

Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Minor spotting. Blank on verso.

References

Rumsey 0466.051. Phillips (Atlases) 804.