William Birchynshaw's map of Exeter, 1743

摘要

It is exciting to find out about a recent discovery, and this handsome book sites the map in question cartographically and historically, so that the reader gets a real sense of what it was like to live in the cityscape depicted. The cover states that it 'represents a significant reassessment of Exeter's history' and certainly it provides plentiful detail to satisfy the local historian. Yet there is far more to this book than the title suggests and it will be of interest beyond the borders of Devon's county town: to urban researchers, as well as to historians of cartography and of the Georgian era, and indeed to the general reader. The production quality and large format (31.5 cm x 27 cm x 1.4 cm) with 35 illustrations might well be noted by other record societies and archives which have a map publication of this type in view.