A rare 2″ to a mile map of Oxfordshire signed by the mapmaker

A fine example of the first map of Oxfordshire on a scale of two inches to the mile, with a town plan of Oxford spread over four sheets. Davis announnced his intention to survey the county in 1790, and undertook the work between 1793 and 1794, although it was not under 1797 that the map was ready for publication. It is likely the slow progress was due to slow subscription sales. As each example was numbered and signed by Davis, it is suggested the edition was intended to be 200, at a price of £3 10s 6d, for full wash colour and the key map; however the highest known number is only 159. This example is 'N.º 41'. Davis (1750-1814) was appointed 'Topographer to His Majesty George III', a post previously held by John Rocque, in 1786. A farmer as well as a surveyor, he also wrote 'General View of the Agriculture of the County of Oxford: With Observations on the Means of Its Improvement'. This example comes from the library of Sir Henry George Fordham (1854-1929), with his With bookplate and signature on front pastedown. A writer on cartography, he donated rare maps and atlases to the British Museum and the Cambridge University Library, and the 1300 books of the Cordham Collection to the Royal Geographical Society.