Tallis, John & Rapkin, John

John Tallis (1792–1842) and his son John Tallis (1817–1876) were influential English map publishers of the 19th century. The elder Tallis is noted for his rare London Street Views (1838–1840), a detailed series of elevations depicting the city's main commercial streets with remarkable architectural precision. Though he produced only one major atlas, John Tallis Jr. became one of the most recognised and admired cartographic publishers of the Victorian era. His Illustrated Atlas of the World, published for the 1851 Great Exhibition, is considered the last of the great decorative atlases. The maps, engraved by John Rapkin (1813–1899), are known for their ornate borders, vignette views, and detailed geography. Many were first issued in The British Colonies (1849), a forerunner to the atlas. Tallis operated under various imprints, including L. Tallis, Tallis & Co., John Tallis & Company, and the London Printing and Publishing Company, which also issued finely engraved views and portraits featuring his distinctive decorative style. Today, the Illustrated Atlas and its maps are highly sought after by collectors.