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1794 Laurie and Whittle Map of Saint Vincent, West Indies
StVincent-lauriewhittle-1794$475.00
Title
St. Vincent, from an Actual Survey made in the year 1775, after the Treaty with the Caribs.
1794 (dated) 26.25 x 20 in (66.675 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 50000
1794 (dated) 26.25 x 20 in (66.675 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 50000
Description
This is the 1794 Laurie and Whittle map of Saint Vincent according to the treaty that ended the First Carib War (1769 - 1773) and a year before the outbreak of the Second Carib War (1795 - 1797).
A Closer Look
The map divides Saint Vincent into parishes. It illustrates the island's varied topography and river systems and names a few settlements, most, including Kingstown, on the coast in the southwest part of the island. No plantations or inland settlements are noted, underscoring the degree to which British dominance over the island was tenuous at best. A road runs along the east coast, mainly through St. George's Parish, but serves only a few defensive forts.Saint Vincent
In the late 18th century, Saint Vincent was marked by its dramatic natural beauty and strategic importance. The island's rugged volcanic landscape, dominated by the imposing La Soufrière volcano, shaped its geography and its agricultural potential. Saint Vincent's position in the Lesser Antilles made it a key site in the naval conflicts between European powers, particularly between the British and French, who both sought control of the island for its fertile land and strategic harbor access. While initially colonized by the French, it fell to the British during the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763) - who imagined turning the fertile island into a mirror of Barbados, its model West Indian colony. The British had an uneasy hold on the island due to conflict with the indigenous Afro-Caribbean Garifuna, who were anti-colonial but, between bad and worse, preferred the French. With Garifuna assistance during the Anglo-French War (1778 - 1783), the French recaptured Saint Vincent. Nonetheless, the British regained control under the Treaty of Versailles (1783), which ended the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783).Second Carib War (1795 - 1797)
The Second Carib War (1795 - 1797) was a conflict fought on the island of Saint Vincent between the indigenous Garifuna people (supported by the French) and the British. Tensions had been brewing since the First Carib War (1769 - 1773), as the British sought to assert control over the island, while the Garifuna, led by their chief, Joseph Chatoyer, resisted European encroachment. The French, who were at war with Britain during the French Revolution (1789 - 1799), saw an opportunity and allied with the Garifuna. Despite early victories by the Garifuna and French forces, the British ultimately defeated the rebellion. The war ended with the capture and deportation of many Garifuna to Roatán, an island off the coast of present-day Honduras. This war marked the end of significant Garifuna presence in Saint Vincent and solidified British control.Publication History and Census
This map was first published in 1775 by Robert Sayer for The West-India Atlas. After Sayer died in 1794, the publication of the atlas was taken over by Laurie and Whittle, who issued this edition. We are aware of editions in 1775, 1787, 1794 (this example), 1796, 1807, and 1818. Most editions are uncolored, so it is particularly delightful to find an example like this with fine original color.CartographerS
Laurie and Whittle (fl. 1794 - 1858) were London, England, based map and atlas publishers active in the late 18th and early 19th century. Generally considered to be the successors to the Robert Sayer firm, Laurie and Whittle was founded by Robert Laurie (c. 1755 - 1836) and James Whittle (1757-1818). Robert Laurie was a skilled mezzotint engraver and is known to have worked with Robert Sayer on numerous projects. James Whittle was a well-known London socialite and print seller whose Fleet Street shop was a popular haunt for intellectual luminaries. The partnership began taking over the general management of Sayer's firm around 1787; however, they did not alter the Sayer imprint until after Sayer's death in 1794. Apparently Laurie did most of the work in managing the firm and hence his name appeared first in the "Laurie and Whittle" imprint. Together Laurie and Whittle published numerous maps and atlases, often bringing in other important cartographers of the day, including Kitchin, Faden, Jefferys and others to update and modify their existing Sayer plates. Robert Laurie retired in 1812, leaving the day to day management of the firm to his son, Richard Holmes Laurie (1777 - 1858). Under R. H. Laurie and James Whittle, the firm renamed itself "Whittle and Laurie". Whittle himself died six years later in 1818, and thereafter the firm continued under the imprint of "R. H. Laurie". After R. H. Laurie's death the publishing house and its printing stock came under control of Alexander George Findlay, who had long been associated with Laurie and Whittle. Since, Laurie and Whittle has passed through numerous permeations, with part of the firm still extant as an English publisher of maritime or nautical charts, 'Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd.' The firm remains the oldest surviving chart publisher in Europe. More by this mapmaker...
Robert Sayer (1725 - January 29, 1794) was an important English map publisher and engraver active from the mid to late 18th century. Sayer was born in Sunderland, England, in 1725. He may have clerked as a young man with the Bank of England, but this is unclear. His brother, James Sayer, married Mary Overton, daughter-in-law of John Overton and widow of Philip Overton. Sayer initially worked under Mary Overton, but by December of 1748 was managing the Overton enterprise and gradually took it over, transitioning the plates to his own name. When Thomas Jefferys went bankrupt in 1766, Sayer offered financial assistance to help him stay in business and, in this way, acquired rights to many of the important Jefferys map plates as well as his unpublished research. From about 1774, he began publishing with his apprentice, John Bennett (fl. 1770 - 1784), as Sayer and Bennett, but the partnership was not formalized until 1777. Bennett retired in 1784 following a mental collapse and the imprint reverted to Robert Sayer. From 1790, Sayer added Robert Laurie and James Whittle to his enterprise, renaming the firm Robert Sayer and Company. Ultimately, Laurie and Whittle partnered to take over his firm. Sayer retired to Bath, where, after a long illness, he died. During most of his career, Sayer was based at 53 Fleet Street, London. His work is particularly significant for its publication of many British maps relating to the American Revolutionary War. Unlike many map makers of his generation, Sayer was a good businessman and left a personal fortune and great estate to his son, James Sayer, who never worked in the publishing business. Learn More...
Source
Jefferys, T., The West-India Atlas: or, A Compendious Description of the West-Indies: illustrated with Forty Correct Charts and Maps, taken from Actual Surveys, (London: Laurie and Whittle) 1794.
Condition
Very good. Old color. Minor verso reinforcement. Some toning on original centerfold.
References
OCLC 62500554. Rumsey 4723.035.