Table of Scripture Measures Reduced to English Measure, 1823

This is an original antique copper engraved table, published in 1823 as plate XXXI of James Wyld's Geographia Sacra, or Scripture Atlas. The engraved heading, set at the top in open capitals and italics, reads "TABLE OF THE SCRIPTURE MEASURES of LENGTH and CAPACITY REDUCED into ENGLISH MEASURE."

The sheet is an engraved table, not a map, set within a ruled border with a pale wash. It is divided into four sections: "Scripture measures of length reduced to English measure", from the digit through the palm, span, cubit and fathom to Ezekiel's reed, the Arabian pole and "Schoenus's measuring line"; "The long Scripture measures", from the cubit through the stadium and the Sabbath day's journey to a day's journey; measures of capacity for liquids reduced to English wine measure, from the caph to the coron chomer; and measures of capacity for dry things reduced to English corn measure. Each row gives the number of smaller units in the larger and the English equivalent in feet and inches, miles and paces, gallons and pints, or pecks.

Below the lower border the credit J. Wyld del. is engraved at the left and G. Neele Sculp. at the right, with the imprint between them: "Publish'd by G. & W. B. Whittaker. 13 Ave Maria Lane. April 1823." The plate number is engraved as XXXI. in the upper right.

The atlas was published by G. and W. B. Whittaker in London, and its engraved title page names Wyld as "of the Quarter Master General's Office, Horse Guards". James Wyld the elder (1790 to 1836) was a London geographer and map publisher.

Even age toning. Handling soiling along the bottom and top edges. A small brown mark in the lower table. All four corners are present.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.