Laurie & Whittle. “Hinsdoostan with the Island of Ceylon Maldivas &c. &c.”

Laurie & Whittle. “Hinsdoostan with the Island of Ceylon Maldivas &c. &c.”  From A New and Elegant General Atlas.  (1810). 

London: Laurie & Whittle, 1801.7 1/8 x 8 7/8.  Engraving by Jones & Smith.  Excellent original color.  Very good condition.

In 1794, Robert Laurie and James Whittle took over Robert Sayer’s important publishing business in London and continued to produce maps of the highest quality into the early nineteenth century.  With access to the best geographic records and the finest craftsmen, the maps issued by Laurie & Whittle are among the best of the period.  This map of India is a fine example, exhibiting surprising detail of the country.  Rivers, lakes and mountains are well illustrated and the political borders of the states are highlighted in contrasting colors.  This map presents an excellent snapshot of the situation of India at the beginning of the nineteenth century.