The ‘English Atlas’ by Joseph Ellis (fl.1758-d.1802) was engraved in the style of Thomas Kitchin as seen in the latter’s ‘England Illustrated’ of 1764. Ellis’ work was first published in 1765 as the ‘New English Atlas’ which survives in just the one known incomplete example in the British Library. The atlas was published by Carington Bowles and Robert Sayer, two of the most established map sellers at the time. As co-publishers of the ‘Large English Atlas’ which had been a runaway success they were encouraged to publish a reduced version which was to be entitled the ‘Royal English Atlas’. Published around 1764 it proved to be a dismal failure. An unrecorded variant example of this extremely rare atlas is offered in this catalogue. Two of its shareholders were Carington Bowles and Robert Sayer who each owned an eighth share. They were however two of the youngest and most energetic partners. Carington Bowles had just left his long-standing partnership with his father John to take over his uncles business. The precise thought process is unclear but a combination of a desire to succeed and the apparent failure of the ‘Royal English Atlas’ made the two conclude that a smaller version yet might be more successful.

If we look briefly at the smaller atlases on the market at the time we can see a new market was opening. The ‘Chorographia Britanniae’ by Thomas Badeslade and William Toms first published in 1742 had reached the end and the ‘Geographia Magnae Britanniae’ by Thomas Osborne issued in 1748 was of no consequence. Along with the ‘Small English Atlas’ by Thomas Kitchin and Thomas Jefferys first published in 1749 all were quite small in size and did not fit the current market for travelling atlases which required more detail. This could be especially said for John Gibson’s ‘New and Accurate Maps’ of 1759. The ‘Small British Atlas’ by John Rocque though successful and the largest in format was in decline following his death in 1762.

Though it had an apparent faltering start with the first edition the following year 1766 saw no less than five variants. Its success was undoubtedly due to its relatively small size enabling it to be carried as a travelling atlas. This was made difficult by the larger folding maps which would not roll in the usual manner for the pocket. Hence editions were sold without these maps. One of the editions that year was in French and is offered here. When Sayer took over much of the stock of John Rocque upon his death he clearly acquired some of his Huguenot contacts in France. Indeed we know he made at least one trip to Paris as in 1768 whilst travelling with Thomas Jefferys they were charged with selling ‘indecent prints’. Although the maps are printed back to back the survival of such issues is poor. This is because they were sold for the travelling public as they weighed less. Indeed this example was originally bound with soft contemporary paper heavily worn. To find such an example complete with all the folding maps is therefore very rare. Indeed this French edition survives in just two known examples; British Library Maps C.22.c.1 and a private English collection. The British Library example is incomplete meaning this is THE ONLY OTHER COMPLETE COPY KNOWN. Not in Chubb; Darlington & Howgego no. 189 not referring to this earlier issue; Hodson no. 238; Pedley ‘Gentlemen Abroad: Jefferys and Sayer in Paris’, in ‘The Map Collector’ no. 37 pp. 20-1; Shirley BL T.Ell 1d.