The magazines of London. c1725- c1800.
Around 1750, London witnessed the explosive circulation
growth of periodicals (mostly monthlies). These magazines,
generally extremely well researched, offered up-to-the-moment
political/economical/social information to their well educated
audience. Some of these magazines are still regularly published
today.
Based mostly on/around PaterNoster Row, the Gentlemen's Magazine,
the Royal Magazine, the Universal Magazine, the Intelligencer,
the Scot's magazine (in Edinburg), the Lady's magazine, Town
and Country magazine,. were the main source of information
for the british elite when it came to detailing and explaining
the latest developments in the far reaches of the Empire.
As such a full complement of cartographers was retained to
illustrate battle accounts, town sieges, harbor blockades,
and land conquests; almost in real time (for that period).
Thomas Jefferys, Thomas Kitchin, Emanuel Bowen and later his
son Thomas, John Hinton, John Gibson, John Lodge, John Cary,
and many other of lesser reputation, participated in the effort.
In most cases, the maps were of rather small format, and uncolored.
Anonymous.
This small map (7 3/8" X 4 ½") was engraved
for the September 1762 issue of "The Gentleman's Magazine".
Its author is not known, possibly J Gibson. In 1762, many
Havana plans were published in England to help the readership
to better understand the military developments in the Caribbean,
culminating with the british taking of La Havana in August.
The plan offers a wealth of details on the town: forts and
bastions, major buildings: palaces, churches, convents, hospital,.etc.
The bay delineation follows the standard coastline proposed
in 1728 by Antoine Jean de Laval. A little islet, once shown
as Cross Key (Cayo de cruz), is normally referred to as Women
Island (isla de mujeres) after 1728. On this item, it is colorfully
and prominently designated as "Prostitutes Key" (cayo de putas).No
comments.
No text on verso.
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