Thomas Kitchin; 1718-1784.
Kitchin started by being an engraver with the London Magazine.
He soon branched out and became a very prolific publisher.
In cooperation with fellow map makers such as Emmanuel Bowen,
he produced in 1749 the "Small English Atlas", in 1755 the
"Large English Atlas', in 1762 the "Royal English Atlas".
He later issued a "General Atlas", a 'Kitchin pocket Atlas",
a "New Universal Atlas".
All the while still producing maps for various magazines.
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 Lady's magazine, Town and Country magazine, the Scot's
magazine (in Edinburgh). 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,
Thomas Silver, and many other of lesser reputation, participated
in the effort.
In most cases, the maps were of rather small format, and uncolored.
A new and accurate map of the seat
of the late war in the West Indies with a plan of the city
and harbour of Havannah.
This unusual dual map (together 9 1/8" X 7 11/16") is one
of the many recycles of an original work seemingly first published
by John Entick for his 1762 "The general history of the late
war".
This particular item was probably engraved by Thomas Kitchin
for a 1763 edition of the London Magazine.
The top inset depicts the town and anchorage of La Havana
with its defenses (see the number of guns in each fort). The
index lists the principal monuments and places of interest:
palaces, gates, churches, monasteries, market place, barracks,..
The bay delineation is in line with the 1728 Antoine Jean
de Laval model.
The bottom inset seems to be a very conformant extract of
period maps (in particular by Andrew Bell and/or John Gibson)
showing the islands and the whole surrounding coasts from
Florida to Venezuela. Coasts and sand banks delineations are
identical and of the same dimensions, while the lettering
is different. Only major difference; the island swaps (between
England, France and Spain) resulting from the 1763 treaty
of Paris are shown by Kitchin.
No text on verso.
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