18 William Faden (1749–1836) – Map of the West India Islands and the Adjacent Coasts of the Spanish Continent (1796)

Large and highly detailed late-18th-century map engraved by Louis Stanislas d'Arcy Delarochette and published by William Faden in London, 1796. The map covers the Caribbean basin, including the West Indies, Florida, Central America (Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama), the Gulf of Mexico, and northern parts of South America. It includes detailed coastlines, place names, and navigational references, and is embellished with subtle hand colouring. This map was separately issued and is notable for its precision and size, reflecting the era’s strategic and colonial interests in the region. The work was published in London in 1796.

William Faden was one of the most significant British mapmakers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Appointed “Geographer to His Majesty” in 1783, Faden produced influential maps during the American Revolutionary War and later became the first publisher of the Ordnance Survey maps. His publishing house was known for its exceptional quality and innovation, including naval charts and globes. The map was engraved by Delarochette, Faden’s chief cartographer, who was celebrated for his accuracy and artistic skill.

Artist or Maker:

William Faden

Dimensions:

33 cm x 27 cm

Medium:

Hand-coloured engraving

Date:

1796

Condition Report:

This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.