A New Map of the World According to the Latest Discoveries MCCXCIV.

A possibly unrecorded world map by Laurie and Whittle, which we have been unable to trace another example of this map in any collection. Very rare double hemisphere world map by Laurie and Whittle, with decorative title, and a panel at the bottom providing publication information, with a date of 12th May 1794. The hemispheres with separate title panels ‘Western Hemisphere or the New World’ and ‘Eastern Hemisphere or Old World’. The latest geography is based on the results of Captain James Cook’s three voyages and the tracks of each are shown. A quaint error for the naming of the Sahara , &quotSarra or Desart of Barbary&quot, is used. Laurie and Whittle published two similar sized world maps with the hemispheres named in the same way and with exactly the same publication date, 12th May 1794 The first of these maps is the one we have, and the second has a different title &quotA New Map of the World With Captain Cook’s tracks, his Discoveries and those of other circumnavigators&quot and is more elaborate in its design. The second map has a title within a draped cloth, set against a stone facade, decorated with two palm trees and foliage. The geography is essentially the same on both maps but there are differences in the engraving within the hemispheres of the two maps, indicating that two maps were printed from two separate engraving plates, rather than the creation of one plate for the first map and then embellishments added for the second. The second map was also reissued a number of times with additions. The second map is uncommon but there are numerous examples recorded. We can only speculate as to why two world maps, with essentially the same geographic information and bearing exactly the same publication date were considered in the first place and published by the same firm. Also given that a manuscript version of each map would have been created prior to the plates being engraved, visual comparisons of both maps would have been available prior to publication.