- Title: A New Map of North Wales divided into its Six Counties or Shires
- Author: William Darton
- Date: 1820
- Condition: Excellent - small separation at issued fold
- Inches: 27 1/8 x 21 3/8 [Image]
- Centimeters: 68.89 x 54.29 [Image]
- Product ID: 308429
This beautiful map of North Wales was created by Thomas Dix, Surveyor, of North Walsham. The map presents North Wales in elegant detail, with each of the six historic counties—Anglesey, Caernarvon, Denbigh, Flint, Merioneth, and Montgomery—distinctly outlined in delicate hand-coloring. Major towns, roads, and geographical features are meticulously rendered, offering a comprehensive view of the region’s landscape and infrastructure. The left side of the map features an extensive note providing historical and geographical context, a list of market towns and market days, and a clear explanation of the map’s symbols. Enhancing its decorative appeal, a finely executed vignette of Snowdon, Wales’s highest peak, graces the lower left corner, capturing the dramatic beauty of the Welsh mountain scape. The map is bordered by a neat line and surrounded by a wide margin, characteristic of quality cartographic prints from this era. This piece exemplifies both the artistry and precision of early 19th-century British cartography.
Background on Creator
William Darton Sr. (1755–1819) was a notable British publisher specializing in children’s books, operating his business in London on Gracechurch Street. Born in Tottenham as the son of an innkeeper, John Darton, he was apprenticed as an engraver before establishing himself as a publisher and bookseller. Darton produced numerous maps, atlases, and educational materials, including geographical games and puzzle maps designed to instruct youth in geography. His work often combined cartographic detail with engaging formats, such as dissected maps and games, reflecting the educational trends of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Among his notable publications are detailed maps of North America and thematic charts, including those related to Captain James Cook’s voyages. The Darton family continued his legacy in publishing, with his son William Darton Jr. and later descendants remaining active in the industry. William Darton Sr.'s contributions are recognized for blending cartography, education, and children's literature during a formative period in British publishing.