John Cary (1755-1835) was a British cartographer and publisher best known for his clean engraving and distinct style which influenced the entire map industry. Born in Wiltshire, John was apprenticed to an engraver in London. He started his own business by 1782 and moved to several premises before settling at 86 St James’s Street in 1820.
Cary had several significant collaborations during his career. John Wallis and Cary diversified Cary’s business to include broader publishing projects. Brother William and John made globes together, while brother Francis participated in the company’s engraving work. Finally, geologist William Smith and Cary developed and sold geological maps, some of the first of their kind. The pair also produced a notable series of county maps starting in 1819. Cary’s atlases, of English counties and the world, were the standard texts of the early nineteenth century. He was appointed surveyor of roads to the General Post Office in 1794, which led to the New Itinerary, first published in 1798.
John trained his son, George, in engraving and George and his other son, John Jr., took over the business in 1821. It was then known as G. and J. Cary and continued in trade until 1850. The firm’s materials were then acquired by George Frederick Cruchley and then Gall and Inglis. By the time John died in 1835, Cary was the authoritative name in private map publishing and his business was a leader in the field throughout the first half of the nineteenth century.
Beautiful Antique Map of the United States from 1806 Full original hand-color example of John Cary's map of the United States, published in London shortly before the War of 1812. Includes a massive Georgia, extending to the Mississippi River, East...
John Cary's First Printed Map Nice example of John Cary's map of the Southeastern United States, Florida and the Caribbean, published on August 1, 1783. Published in August, 1783, the map was issued one month prior to the signing of the Treaty of...
Fine example of the first edition of Cary's map of the Southern United States and Bahama Islands, extending the East Coast to the Mississippi River and from Tennessee and the Carolinas to Florida, the Bahamas and the Gulf Coast. A massive Georgia...
Fascinating map of North America, reflecting the knowledge of the American West on the eve of the publication of the first official account and map of Lewis & Clark's expedition from the Missouri River to the mouth of the Columbia River. Excellent...
Fascinating map of North America, reflecting the knowledge of the American West on the eve of the publication of the first official account and map of Lewis & Clark's expedition from the Missouri River to the mouth of the Columbia River. Excellent...
John Cary's 1807 two-sheet English language map of South America. Shows towns, rivers, mountains, lakes, islands, etc. The Amazon region is still relatively unknown.
Detailed early plan of London, published in 1787. The map extends from Islington to Newington Butts and from east to west from Stepney to Hyde Park. Includes a list of important buildings with references at the top left and right and an extensive...
Detailed map of Bedfordshire, published in London by John Cary.
A large and detailed four sheet map of Scotland, published by John Cary. The map is hand colored by counties and includes precise topographical detail, including lakes, rivers, mountains, bays, towns, roads with milage, political divisions, and a host...
Nice example of John Cary's map of the Low Countries, hand colored by provinces. Shows the fine detail of late 18th Century English maps.
Detailed map regional map of Northwestern Italy, hand colored by provinces. Shows roads, rivers, lakes, mountains, towns, etc. One of the best large format English atlas maps of the period.
Detailed regional map of the area north of the Gulf of Venice, hand colored by provinces. Shows roads, rivers, lakes, mountains, islands, towns, etc. One of the best large format English atlas maps of the period. Gorgeous wide margined example.
Scarce John Cary map of Poland published during "the Partitions." The map itself is detailed, showing the cities, rivers, lakes, and forests of Poland. Regions are named, including the Great Duchy of Lithuania, Polachia, Mascovia, Red Russia, Black...
Wall Map Version of Napoleon's Grand Army Marches on Russia Rare separately published broadside and map illustrating the Russian Campaign of 1812, published by John Cary. At the top left corner, Cary reproduces a letter which he received from The...
![A New Map of Turkey In Europe, Divided into its Provinces . . . 1801 [Cyprus]](/map/small/71260.jpg)
Detailed map of Turkey, Greece, Bosnia, Dalmatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Albania, and the contiguous islands, including Cyprus and Crete. Colored by countries. One of the best large format English atlas maps of the period.
Detailed map of Spain and Portugal, hand colored by provinces. Shows roads, rivers, lakes, mountains, islands, etc. One of the best large format English atlas maps of the period.
