Map of the Island of Zhoushan (Chusan) (1749) £15
This original 18th-century engraving presents a detailed chart of the Zhoushan Archipelago (Chusan) and the surrounding coastal regions of Zhejiang (Che-kiang) province, China. Critical to 18th-century trade routes.
Cartographer: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772), the official hydrographer to the French King.
Engraver: Jakob van der Schley (1715–1779).
Source: From the Dutch edition of Abbé Prévost’s Histoire Générale des Voyages.
Medium: Authentic copperplate engraving on hand-laid paper.
Dimensions: Approximately 20.5 x 31.5 cm (image size).
Condition: Generally very good, with original folds as issued and characteristic age-related toning

Plans of the Great Wall of China and Its Fortifications (c. 1750) £15
This original 18th-century copperplate engraving features two distinct architectural plans of the Great Wall of China in the northern Hebei Province (formerly Pecheli).
The top panel displays the Plan de Long-men-hien, showing the wall’s winding structure near Longguan.

These views provided 18th-century Europeans with some of their first accurate glimpses into the defensive engineering of the Great Wall.
Artist/Engraver: Jakob van der Schley (Dutch, 1715–1779).
Cartographer: Based on maps by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772) and surveys by Jesuit missionary Jean-Baptiste Du Halde.
Source: From Abbé Prévost’s Histoire Générale des Voyages.
Medium: Authentic copperplate engraving on hand-laid paper.
Approximate Dimensions: Image size 16 x 21.5 cm
Condition: Generally very good with characteristic age-toning. This specimen includes minor historical pin-hole perforations

The City of Loango, Kingdom of Loango (c. 1745–1746) £15
This original 18th-century copperplate engraving provides a sweeping panoramic view of Buali (Mbanza Loango), the capital of the historic Kingdom of Loango in present-day Republic of the Congo. The detailed scene illustrates the royal palace, central courtyards, and street life, based on earlier descriptions by Olfert Dapper.
Engraver: G. Child.
Publisher: Thomas Astley.
Source: From a 1745–1746 edition of A New General Collection of Voyages and Travels.
Medium: Authentic copperplate engraving on laid paper.
Historical Significance: Loango was a powerful pre-colonial African trading center, renowned for its exports of copper and fine cloth.
Condition: Generally good, featuring sharp line work and characteristic age-related toning

Approximately 27.5 x 31.5 cm.

Map of the Empire of China, Korea, and Tartary (c. 1749) £40
The map is a remarkable testament to the precision of early 18th-century cartography.
Cartographers: Based on the pioneering land surveys of Jesuit missionaries (such as Jean-Baptiste Régis) between 1708 and 1717, later refined by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin.
Engraver: Jakob van der Schley (1715–1779).
Source: From the Dutch edition of Abbé Prévost’s Histoire Générale des Voyages.
Medium: Authentic copperplate engraving on hand-laid paper.
Historical Significance: This map represents one of the most accurate European depictions of China available in the mid-1700s.
Condition: Generally very good, with original vertical folds as issued and characteristic age-related toning. This specimen shows a few minor perforations.

Approximately 28.5 x 33 cm (roughly 11.25 x 13 inches)

Walled Cities of Nanjing and Suzhou (c. 1747–1755) £10
This 18th-century engraving presents plans of two of China’s most significant historical cities in the Jiangsu Province.

Left Panel: Depicts the massive fortifications and complex layout of Nanjing (Nanking), one of China’s “Four Great Ancient Capitals”.
Right Panel: Showcases the watery, canal-centered landscape of Suzhou (Su-Tcheou-Fou), often referred to as the “Venice of the East”.

Artist/Engraver: Jakob van der Schley (Dutch, 1715–1779)
Cartographer: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772)
Source: This plate originates from the influential multi-volume work Histoire Générale des Voyages.
Medium: Original copperplate engraving on hand-laid paper.
Approximate Dimensions: 18 x 26 cm (7 x 10.2 inches).
Condition: Generally very good, featuring sharp line work and characteristic 18th-century age-toning. Minor perforation.

Large Map of Asia (c. 1760) £60
This original mid-18th-century copperplate engraving presents a comprehensive view of the Asian continent. The map is set within a highly decorative and elaborate allegorical border.
The map includes extensive French text panels on either side, providing a “General Description” of the various empires and kingdoms, including detailed notes on China, India, Tartary, and the East Indies.
Artist/Engraver: Attributed to Jakob van der Schley
Medium: Authentic copperplate engraving on hand-laid paper.
Dimensions: Approximately 62 x 37 cm (24.5 x 14.5 inches) for the full sheet.
Historical Context: This type of map was popular in the 18th-century both a geographical tool and a decorative piece of art for personal libraries.
Condition: Features a vertical center fold as issued; generally very good.

 Full sheet size is approximately 62 x 37 cm (24.5 x 14.5 inches).

Plan of St. Julian’s Harbour (Patagonia), 1741

Source: Likely Anson’s Voyage, c. 1748.

Description: A nautical chart showing where the boats landed and the “Island of True Justice.”

Dimensions: 18×22 cm18×22 cm.

Price: £10.00

Plan of Corfe Castle, 1586

Date: c. 1774 (Published for Hutchins’ History of Dorset).

Description: A superb architectural plan of the castle before its destruction in the Civil War. Features a detailed A-R key.

Dimensions: 23×18 cm23×18 cm.

Price: £10.00

A Plan of Lambeth Marsh

Date: c. 1760.

Description: Showing the “nearest, least expensive road from Westminster to Black Fryars Bridge.” A fascinating look at London’s south bank when it was still mostly gardens and plantations.

Dimensions: 20×24 cm20×24 cm.

Price: £10.00

1. Plan de la Ville de Peking (Peking) – A detailed bird’s-eye view of the Tartar and Chinese cities. 

2. Plan de la Ville de Hang-Tcheou-Fou (Hang-Chew-Fu) – Showing the city walls and the “Crystal” lake.

3. Carte de l’Entrée de la Rivière de Canton – Including the Isle de Macao and “Tiger Island.” 

4. Carte de la Baye d’Hocsieu (Fokyen) – Coastal chart showing river entries and islands.

5. Villes de la Province de Chensi (Si-Ngan-Fu) – A dual-panel plate showing walled city plans.

6. Prospect of the Cape of Good Hope / Table Bay Fort – Dual panel map/view of the South African coast.

7. Island of Tenerife / View of Santa-Cruz – Exploration map with a scenic coastal profile.

8. Island of Madera / The Dragon Tree – Map of Madeira with a famous botanical inset.

1. Africa – Continental map showing the “Country of Dates” and “Ethiopia.”

2. Asia – Broad view including the East Indies and the Great Desert of Cobi.

3. Hindoostan (India) – Detailed map of the Indian subcontinent. 

4. South America – Showing the Spanish and Portuguese missions and “Terra Firma.”  

5. Russian Europe – Covering the Baltic to the Black Sea.  

6. Turkey – Focused on the Ottoman Empire, Greece, and the Balkans.

7. Holland – Detailed provincial map of the Netherlands.

8. Italy – Classic “boot” shape including Corsica and Sardinia.  

9. England & Wales – County-level map.

10. Scotland – Highly detailed topographic map.

11. Ireland – Popular map showing the four provinces.

12. West Indies – A fascinating colonial-era map showing the islands of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the coast of Florida.

13. Spain & Portugal – Detailed regional map including the Balearic Islands.

14. France – Showing the pre-revolutionary provinces and departments.

15. Sweden, Norway &c. – Map of Scandinavia including Denmark and the northern reaches of Russia and Poland.

16. Europe – A general map of the continent, including the North Atlantic, Greenland, and the northern coast of Africa.

17. Germany – A very dense, detailed map of central Europe and the Holy Roman Empire. Includes “British Miles” scale.