Thomas Kitchin (1718-84) was one of the most notable English cartographers of the eighteenth century. He was both an engraver and publisher of considerable reputation who was made Hydrographer to King George III. He worked with many of his contemporaries on various projects. In late October 1763 Robert and James Dodsley announced the publication of the two-volume ‘England Illustrated’ utilising 54 maps engraved by Kitchin. Each map was accompanied by descriptive text of the county with engravings by others. The maps give remarkable detail of major roads, each having a decorative cartouche. The atlas appeared on time being advertised as available on the 1 December 1763. A total of 1000 copies were printed. The same maps were re-issued in 1765 by James Dodsley as ‘Kitchen’s English Atlas’; Robert Dodsley died on 23 September 1764. Robert (1703-64) was a successful writer, poet and publisher before moving into cartographic items. His first contribution was John Cowley’s ‘Geography of England’, 1744. Provenance: bookplates to both volumes of Henry Davidson; manuscript ownership inscription of Duncan Davidson to both title pages; similarly William Greenwood to volume two only, an enclosed remembrance to him is dated 8 November 1851. Beresiner pp. 98-9; Chubb 224; Hodson 231; Shirley BL T.Kit 3a.