[Proof Maps / World / Asia]

Description

Three rare large, separately issued maps by Robert Wilkinson (1752-1836), all in proof states.

1. [World] Double hemisphere world map
2.  World, Mercator’s Projection
3. [Asia]

Asia is a proof before letters of Wilkinson’s published map, Asia and New Holland, printed on Whatman dated 1794 watermarked paper. The map was printed prior to 1802 when the first edition of the published version was issued. The nomenclature is seemingly the same as in the published versions. This rare proof before letters differs to the later published versions in a number of ways:

1. Lacks the title and publication line which appeared at top right in the published versions and the area is covered with parallels of latitude.
2. Lacks all the meridians of longitude with only slight markers on the parallels of latitude
3.  Uncoloured
4. Lacks mountain ranges
5. Without centre fold

The colour image of Asia shown, is of the published version of the same map and is included only as a reference.