An extremely rare separately published map of the county with an attractive vignette of Belvoir Castle. Thomas Dix Dix (1769/70-1813) was a surveyor in Northamptonshire and Norfolk and began work on an atlas which was completed with the help of the publisher William Darton. Published in 1822 under the title of ‘A Complete Atlas of the English Counties’ it is of great rarity. The maps bear dates varying from July 1816 to February 1821. Only three examples have appeared on the market in 20 years. This is an example of the first state ISSUED SEPARATELY BEFORE ATLAS PUBLICATION. Chubb 387.

Darton was a publisher who after the death of Dix in 1813 saw the atlas through to completion. Published in 1822 under the title of ‘A Complete Atlas of the English Counties’ . Examples of the maps loose, cut and dissected are known and it is probable that they were first sold individually. Each map bears an attractive circular title cartouche and an uncoloured vignette view of somewhere in the county. Provenance: Sotheby’s 13 November 2003 lot 335 £5040; private English collection. Carroll (1996) no. 75; Chubb (1927) no. 387; Kingsley (1982) no. 75.