James Pigot (1769-1843) was born in Macclesfield and is first recorded in 1794 as an engraver and printer in Manchester. He engraved the map of Manchester for R. & W. Dean’s ‘Manchester Directory’ of 1804. In 1811 he began his own business but continued to issue the ‘Manchester Directory’ every two years in partnership with Dean. Moving to London, he opened premises at 24 Basing Lane and began publishing directories of the whole country. At this point he was trading as Pigot & Co. in partnership with the bookseller Charles Elkins of London. The partnership’s first directory was the ‘London and Provincial New Directory’ for 1822-23. The third edition of 1826-27 was according to the title ’embellished with a new series of Elegant Maps …’ however, it only contained those of the six home counties. Three parts were issued covering the whole country. An advert in 1829 indicated that the full series of maps were available bound up separately in an atlas. The is an example of the first dated edition, October 1830.

The maps are believed to be derived from the folio maps of John Cary published in 1809. They are the first engraved on steel and each contains attractive vignette scenes of the county. Steel is a much harder metal than copper which enabled greater detail to be recorded on the map. It was also feasible to print in greater numbers without showing signs of wear. Beresiner (1983) pp. 177-80; Carroll (1996) 88; Chubb (1927) 427; Darlington & Howgego (1964) no. 341.(3); Smith (1982) pp. 187-9; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).