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BELL, James : A New and Comprehensive Gazetteer of England and Wales

Octavo (215 x 135 mm.), four volumes, contemporary half calf, cloth boards, ornate blind ruling, spines with raised bands, each decorated in gilt, gilt calf title and volume labels, marbled endpapers and marbled edged. With typographic title page, pp. (2), lxxii, 408; (2), 472; (2), 480; (2), 470, with 45 steel engraved maps comprising one large folding general map with old repairs to folds and rebound upside down, 42 of the English counties and north and south Wales, all side bound, minor foxing throughout as usual, otherwise in good condition.

In 1833-34 James Bell published 'A New and Comprehensive Gazetteer' in parts. Much of its source material was drawn from Samuel Lewis’ 'Topographical Dictionary of England'. In 1839 Lewis managed to obtain an injunction against Bell. The maps engraved for the work were later retained by Archibald Fullarton & Co. who utilised them in the 'Parliamentary Gazetteer' with new text. The Fullarton maps each contain a decorative vignette, the later issues bear railways. It is fascinating to see that only the earliest railways are present. None are found on the map of Middlesex but of course the Liverpool to Bolton, and Manchester, railways are present. Beresiner (1983) p. 102; Carroll (1996) 99; refer Chubb (1927) 445.

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