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Robert Sayer (ca. 1724-1794) was a prominent London map publisher. Robertā€™s father was a lawyer, but his older brother married Mary Overton, the widow of prominent mapmaker Philip Overton and the proprietor of his shop after his death. Mary continued the business for roughly a year after her marriage and then, in early 1748, it passed to Robert. Robert became a freeman of the Stationersā€™ Company later that year; his first advertisement as an independent publisher was released in December.

Sayer benefited from Overtonā€™s considerable stock, which included the plates of John Senex. In the 1750s, Sayer specialized in design books and topographical prints, as well as comic mezzotints. In 1753, he, along with John Roque, published a new edition of Thomas Readā€™s Small British Atlas, the first of several county atlases that Sayer would publish.  

Sayerā€™s business continued to grow. In 1760 he moved further down Fleet Street to larger premises at 53 Fleet Street. In 1766, he acquired Thomas Jefferysā€™ stock when the latter went bankrupt. In 1774, he entered into a partnership with John Bennett, his former apprentice. The pair specialized in American atlases, based on the work of Jefferys. They also began publishing navigational charts in the 1780s and quickly became the largest supplier of British charts in the trade.

Bennettā€™s mental health declined, and the partnership ended in 1784. As Sayer aged, he relied on his employees Robert Laurie and James Whittle, who eventually succeeded him. He spent more and more time at his house in Richmond. In 1794, he died in Bath.   

Place/Date:
London / 1788 circa
Size:
16 x 22 inches (binding)
Condition:
VG+
Stock#:
99938
Place/Date:
London / 1779
Size:
17 x 20.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
45084

Archived

Place/Date:
London / 1782 [1783]
Size:
21.5 x 15.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
59441
Place/Date:
London / 1757 circa
Size:
17.5 x 12.5 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
89400
Place/Date:
London / 1796
Size:
21 x 14 inches
Condition:
VG
Stock#:
39514