ANTIQUE MAPS: An antique Robert Morden map of Cumberland, 18thcentury
ANTIQUE MAPS: An antique Robert Morden map of Cumberland, 18thcentury
ANTIQUE MAPS: An antique Robert Morden map of Cumberland, 18th century, copper plate engraving with hand-colouring.
The map is within an antique oak frame, labelled to the reverse by framers ‘J. Middleton, T&A Heaney, Frame Maker, Gilder, and Mount Cutter, 231 King’s Road, Chelsea, S.W.3. Telephone FLAXMAN 0739’.
Bearing with further handwritten label“To be given to M**** Spring Rice, Gatesgarth, Penrith Cumberland, from ****** Spring Rice”
Dimensions 44.75cm wide x 38.5 cm high
Robert Morden (c. 1650 – 1703) was a British publisher and bookseller known particularly for the production of maps and globes.
This map was first published in the late 17th century as part of the new Gibson addition of William Camden’s Britannia. Britannia used the most up to date surveys of English counties to produce new maps. Due to financial constraints Morden faced he often produced maps in conjunction with other printers and publishers.
The label on the reverse of this Robert Morden Cumberland map, makes reference to the Spring Rice family to whom the map was gifted to and by. The Spring Rice family had an association with Cumbria for over 100 years.
Several notable members had homes or lived in the Watermillock area of the county during the 19th and 20th centuries (the Gatesgarth property mentioned on the label was in Watermillock). A family with a close association to politics, Sir Cecil Spring Rice (who was brought up alongside his siblings in Watermillock on the banks of Ullswater) served as British Ambassador to the United States from 1912 to 1918. Sir Cecil, was a great friend of Theodore Roosevelt and served as his best man. A poet, Sir Cecil also penned the “Urbs Dei” which was later became the text for the patriotic hymn “I Vow To Thee My Country”.
His brother was academic and civil servant Stephen Spring Rice CBE (1856 – 1902). Stephen died in Abinger Hall, Dorking and was later buried in Watermillock.
Their maternal grandfather William Marshall had been MP for Patterdale area of Cumbria. Members of the family including Mrs. Mary Isabella Spring Rice (wife of Lieutenant Gerald Spring Rice) continued to live in the area until the mid 20thcentury.
To read more about Sir Cecil Spring Rice and the Spring Rice family see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Spring_Rice
For further Cumbria related pieces in our store see GPO POSTERS: An original vintage GPO (General Post Office) poster for Bassenthwaite area, c. 1960
Dimensions: The frame 44.75cm x 38.5cm
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Condition Report: In overall good condition, unexamined out of frame - vintage frame with wear. The map with some discolouration particularly to corners, some fading - good in accordance with age.