Atlas publication details
- Chorographica Britanniæ was first published in June 1742 with the title page and contents shown in the atlas collation. There were three further issues within a very short period:
- The first had the plate numbers (8 and 9) added to the maps of Cambridgeshire and Cheshire.
- The second had Price Bound 5s. added after the date at the end of the title page. This price was incorrect and it was quickly amended.
- The price added in the previous issue was erased and Price in Sheets 5s. Bound 6s. was added outside the bottom border of the title page.
- When the atlas had been on the market for no more than three months there was another issue with the same title page as the third variant listed under No. 1. The general maps and tables were identical to those in the previous edition but there were extensive revisions to the English county maps and the regional maps of Wales.
All of the plates in issues 1 and 2 had the imprint Publish'd by the Proprietors T. Badeslade & W H Toms Septr. 29th. 1741.
- There was another issue of the atlas later in 1742 with the wording at the bottom of the title page changed to include more price details and an advertisement:
- Price in Sheets 5s. Bound 6s &. Colour'd 12s. Where is made & Sold the best Transparent Paper for taking off Drawings or Prints that was yet made, it is so Transparent that the minutest Stroke may be seen thró it, & may lay on the most valuable Drawing at any time without Prejudice. It is also very useful in Drawin prospects with a Camera Obscura & and may be drawn on with Writing Ink, or Shadow'd on with Indian Ink, which no other Paper of this kind would ever admit to. No less Quantity than One Quire at 5s. Likewise the best Ground for Etching at 20s. Pr Pound
All of the plates in this issue and all subsequent issues had the original imprint erased and replaced by Publish'd by the Proprietor W H Toms Sept. 29.1742.
- A "Second Edition" of Chorographica Britanniæ was published in 1745 with a revised title page. The previous wording A Set of maps of all the Counties was changed to A New Set of maps of all the Counties, the advertisement was erased and the lower border was erased and re-engraved lower down the page to accommodate some additional wording.
- This Collection . . . for the Use of his late Majesty KING GEORGE I. By Thomas Badeslade Surveyor and Engineer, and now neatly Engrav'd by Will: Henry Toms. Printed for and Sold by W H Toms Engraver, in Union Court, near Hatton Garden, Holbourn. 1742.
was changed to:
- This Collection . . . for the Use of his late Majesty KING GEORGE I. For his intended Tour thrô England & Wales. By Thos. Badeslade Surveyor. & Engrav'd by W. H. Toms. The Second Edition to which is added the Rates for Hackney Coaches Chairmen and Watermen with the Measured Distances taken by order of the Commissioners. Printed for C. Hitch in Paternoster Row, and W. H. Toms Engraver in Union Court Holbourn 1745. Price in Sheets 5s. Bound 6s. Bd. & Colour'd 12s.
Plates 49 and 50 with the rates for Hackney coaches, chairmen and watermen were added at the end of the atlas and these also appeared in the subsequent issues.
- Hitch and Toms were joined by J. Clark and the atlas was reissued, probably in 1746. The title page imprint was changed to:
- Published According to Act of Parliament. Sold by J. Clark Bookseller, at ye Golden Ball, in St. Paul's Church Yard, C. Hitch Bookseller in Pater Noster Row, & by W. H. Toms Engraver, in Union Court Holbourn, Price in Sheets 5s. Bound 6s. Bound & Coloured 12s.
- Chorographica Britanniæ was issued for the last time, probably in 1749, when Clark's premises and his share of the atlas had passed to W. Johnston. The title page imprint was changed to include Johnston:
- Published According to Act of Parliament. Sold by C. Hitch Bookseller in Paternoster Row, W. Johnston Bookseller at the Golden Ball in St. Pauls Church Yard, & by W: H: Toms Engraver & Printseller at ye Golden head over against Surgeons Hall near Ludgate Hill. Price in Sheets 5s. Bound 6s. Bound & Colourd 12s.