The Astonishing Story Behind Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas

John Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas: Being a New Set of County Maps from Actual Surveys started being published in 1787. It marked the beginning of a new era in cartography. More copies were published in later years. It is a significant achievement. It stands out in the landscape of British cartography. This meticulously crafted atlas represented a departure from earlier, often derivative works. It offered a level of accuracy and detail that profoundly affected how England and Wales were perceived and understood. Its compilation, print run, cartographic innovations, and the comprehensive list of its contents all contribute to its lasting significance.

Compilation: The Pursuit of Accuracy Through Survey

The defining characteristic of Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas was its emphasis on actual surveys. Unlike many of his predecessors, Cary did not rely heavily on existing, and often outdated, maps. He embarked on a systematic program of surveying and data collection. This commitment to primary research was revolutionary for its time. Cary himself was a skilled engraver and mapmaker. He employed a team of surveyors to traverse the counties of England and Wales. They took precise measurements and noted geographical features firsthand.

This process was laborious and time-consuming. Surveyors used chains and compasses to measure distances and angles. They meticulously recorded roads, rivers, settlements, and topographical variations. The data collected in the field was brought back to Cary’s London workshop. There, it was carefully compiled. It was then engraved onto copper plates. This direct engagement with the landscape ensured a level of accuracy that was unprecedented in English county mapping.

The dedication to accuracy was not merely a matter of principle for Cary; it was a strategic business decision. In an era of burgeoning trade and travel, reliable maps were increasingly in demand. Merchants, landowners, and travelers needed precise depictions of the country’s infrastructure and geography. Cary offered maps based on actual surveys. This positioned his atlas as a superior and trustworthy resource. His atlas catered to this growing market.

Estimated Print Run and Dissemination

Estimating the precise print run of Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas is challenging. This difficulty arises due to the publishing practices of the time. Yet, its popularity and the many editions were significant. Variations appeared over several decades. These suggest a large print run, running into several thousand copies across all its iterations.

The atlas was initially published in parts, allowing subscribers to buy sections as they became available. This practice helped to offset the significant costs linked to surveying and engraving. Once completed, the atlas was offered in bound volumes. These volumes often had different levels of embellishment. The binding quality also varied to cater to a range of buyers.

The success of the atlas led to subsequent editions and reprints, some with minor revisions and updates. Cary also produced smaller, more portable versions based on the same surveys, further expanding the reach of his work. The atlas was advertised in newspapers and trade publications. Its reputation for accuracy undoubtedly contributed to its widespread adoption. It was popular among those who needed detailed geographical information. Its presence in libraries, country houses, and the offices of professionals attests to its importance and broad dissemination.

Significance to Cartography: Setting New Standards

Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas holds a significant place in the history of cartography. It is particularly important in the development of British county mapping. Its most important contribution was the establishment of a new standard for accuracy and detail based on firsthand surveying. This commitment to empirical data collection marked a turning point in English mapmaking. It moved away from reliance on older, often flawed sources.

Several key innovations and characteristics contributed to the atlas’s significance:

• Uniform Scale: The maps in Cary’s atlas were drawn to a relatively uniform scale. This scale was approximately one inch to three miles. This consistency allowed for easier comparison between different counties and provided a more coherent geographical representation of England and Wales. This was a significant improvement over earlier atlases where scales often varied considerably between maps.
• Detailed Road Networks: The atlas meticulously depicted the road networks. This included turnpike roads, which were crucial for transportation and commerce during this period. Distances between towns and villages were often indicated, further enhancing the practical utility of the maps for travelers.
• Representation of Topography: Cary’s maps did not use sophisticated contour lines. These lines were still in the early stages of development. Instead, they used hachuring and shading to show hills. This provided a visual sense of the landscape and highlighted other significant topographical features.
• Clear and Elegant Engraving: Cary himself was a master engraver. The maps in the atlas are characterized by their clarity and precision. They also have aesthetic appeal. The lettering is legible, and the various geographical features are depicted with meticulous detail.
• Influence on Later Cartographers: Cary’s commitment to accuracy was inspiring. His systematic approach to surveying also served as an inspiration for later mapmakers. His work helped raise the standards for cartographic production in Britain. It influenced the development of Ordnance Survey mapping in the next century.

Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas emphasized empirical observation and meticulous execution. It played a crucial role in shaping geographical knowledge of England and Wales. This was at the turn of the 19th century. It provided a reliable and detailed portrait of the nation, contributing to its administrative, commercial, and social development.

List of Maps and City Plans in Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas

The content of Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas typically included a general map of England and Wales. This was followed by individual county maps arranged geographically. Later editions have included extra features or variations in content. A representative list of the maps and plans found in the atlas includes:

1. A New Map of England and Wales with Part of Scotland
2. Bedfordshire
3. Berkshire
4. Buckinghamshire
5. Cambridgeshire
6. Cheshire
7. Cornwall
8. Cumberland
9. Derbyshire
10. Devonshire
11. Dorsetshire
12. Durham
13. Essex
14. Gloucestershire
15. Herefordshire
16. Hertfordshire
17. Huntingdonshire
18. Kent
19. Lancashire
20. Leicestershire and Rutlandshire (often merged)
21. Lincolnshire
22. Middlesex
23. Monmouthshire
24. Norfolk
25. Northamptonshire
26. Northumberland
27. Nottinghamshire
28. Oxfordshire
29. Shropshire
30. Somersetshire
31. Staffordshire
32. Suffolk
33. Surrey
34. Sussex
35. Warwickshire
36. Westmorland
37. Wiltshire
38. Worcestershire
39. Yorkshire (often divided into North Riding, East Riding, and West Riding)
40. North Wales (comprising the counties of Anglesey, Caernarvonshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merionethshire, and Montgomeryshire, often on one or two sheets)
41. South Wales (comprising the counties of Brecknockshire, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire, Glamorganshire, Pembrokeshire, and Radnorshire, often on one or two sheets)

Along with the county maps, some editions of Cary’s atlas included city plans of important urban centers. These plans were fewer in number than the county maps. They provided detailed layouts of these towns. The layouts included streets, buildings, and significant landmarks. Examples of city plans that are found in the atlas include:

• City Plan of London and its Environs (often on multiple sheets due to its size)
• Bristol City Plan
• Bath City Plan
• Liverpool City Plan
• Manchester City Plan

The inclusion and detail of these city plans vary between different editions of the atlas.

Groundbreaking Maps within Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas

While the entire atlas was groundbreaking in its commitment to accuracy through surveying, certain aspects and specific maps within it can be highlighted as particularly innovative or significant:

• The General Map of England and Wales: This map provided a comprehensive overview of the entire country. It was based on Cary’s surveys. Its relatively uniform scale offered a new level of clarity. The map detailed the major road networks. This added coherence in representing the geography of England and Wales as a whole. It served as a valuable reference for understanding the interconnectedness of the different counties.
• The County Maps Based on Actual Surveys: Each individual county map was a product of firsthand investigation. This approach was systematic across the entire country. It was unprecedented. The maps provided a level of detail and accuracy that surpassed earlier county atlases. The consistent scale and clear depiction of topographical features made these maps invaluable. They were essential for local administration, land management, and travel.
• Detailed Road Networks with Mileages: Cary’s meticulous depiction of roads was a significant advancement for travelers. He included the distances between towns and villages. This practical information made the atlas an essential tool for planning journeys and understanding the relative location of places. The accuracy of these road networks demonstrated the importance of overland travel. It also highlighted the significance of communication in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
• The Plan of London and its Environs: When included, the plan of London was noteworthy. It offered a detailed representation of the rapidly growing metropolis. These plans often showed individual streets, significant buildings, and the expanding suburban areas. They provided a valuable snapshot of the urban landscape of the time. The scale and level of detail offered in these plans were often superior to earlier maps of the city.

No single map within Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas is considered a radical departure in cartographic projections. It is also not a radical departure in thematic mapping. The focus was firmly on topographical and infrastructural accuracy. But, the collective impact of the entire atlas, grounded in its commitment to actual surveys, was truly groundbreaking. It set a new benchmark for British cartography. This innovation ushered in an era where accuracy and empirical data became paramount in mapmaking.

Conclusion

John Cary’s New and Correct English Atlas remains a vital resource. It helps in understanding the geography of England and Wales at the turn of the 19th century. It is meticulously compiled based on actual surveys. Its large print run and wide dissemination highlight its importance. It has significantly contributed to cartographic precision. The detailed county maps and occasional city plans offered an unprecedented level of geographical information. They influenced later mapmakers. These maps also served the practical needs of a rapidly changing society. Cary prioritized empirical observation and skilled craftsmanship. His atlas is a testament to precise and well-executed cartography’s enduring power.