DESCRIPTION: This striking anthropomorphic map of England presents the nation as a crowned female figure seated across the geographic outline of the country, a vivid example of 19th-century allegorical cartography from the celebrated 1868 series Geographical Fun, published in London by William Henry Harvey and lithographed by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son. England is personified as a regal woman wearing a crested helmet and holding a trident-like scepter, her shield emblazoned with the Union flag. Key regions - from the Scottish border to the English Channel - are integrated into her form, blending geography and symbolism. The surrounding seas are labeled, and ins et vignettes, including a naval scene, reinforce England’s maritime identity and imperial reach.
Such allegorical maps became especially popular in the Victorian period, when Britain stood at the height of its global influence. The female figure evokes Britannia, the long-standing emblem of British power, naval supremacy, and imperial authority. The inclusion of heraldic devices and martial attributes underscores themes of strength, unity, and dominion.
As a collectible object, this map appeals both to cartographic enthusiasts and to collectors of British imperial ephemera. It bridges geography, political symbolism, and popular art, illustrating how maps could function as cultural statements as much as spatial representations. Allegorical maps of this type are increasingly sought after for their visual charm, historical resonance, and their embodiment of Victorian self-image at a moment when England perceived itself as ruling both land and sea.
William Henry Harvey was a London publisher active in the mid to late 19th century, best remembered for issuing the whimsical anthropomorphic map series Geographical Fun in 1868. Operating during the height of Britain’s chromolithographic boom, Harvey specialized in illustrated and novelty works that blended education, humor, and decorative appeal, capitalizing on growing Victorian demand for visually engaging printed material. The maps were printed by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, one of the leading chromolithographic firms in London, whose technical skill in color lithography gave the series its vivid palette and fine finish. Harvey’s role was primarily that of publisher and marketer, bringing the designs to market in an attractive folio format aimed at both educational and parlor display audiences during the high tide of British imperial self-confidence.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1868
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: England
BODY OF WATER: English Channel, St. Georges Channel
CONDITION: Good.
A bit wavy and a bit age toned, particularly at edges. Trace of prior hinges on the verso.
COLORING: Lithograph
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 8
" x
10 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 7
PRICE: $300
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