Treasure 25: Alexander Ogg, Land Surveyor: Inverurie, Aberdeen and New Zealand

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Treasure 25: Alexander Ogg, Land Surveyor: Inverurie, Aberdeen and New Zealand

November 27th 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the death of the land surveyor Alexander Ogg. Local historian, and Central Library user, Dr Douglas Lockhart made the excellent suggestion that we celebrate this anniversary by displaying Ogg's rare Map of New and Old Aberdeen (1855) as a treasure for November.

The tremendous level of detail; annotation of residential and business occupants and the inclusion of various proposed city developments, make the map a particularly interesting historical item.

This version of the map was corrected to 1855 and published by J. Gellatly, 26 George Street, Edinburgh.

There is a brief description of the map in the bottom right of the sheet that reads:

"This map, continued from the Original Survey made in 1809, by John Smith Architect; has been revised and corrected to 1848, by Alexr. Ogg Land Surveyor; the Railways and Approaches by Alexr. Gibb, C.E. and the Harbour Improvements by James Abernethy, Harbour Engineer."

The National Library of Scotland hold a version of the map corrected to 1847 and published by D. Wyllie & Son, 111 Union Street, Aberdeen. It features a similar description to the one above, the only difference being it states it is corrected by Ogg to 1847.

There are visible differences between the two versions, particularly around the railway areas. How much these amendments are due to Ogg in 1848 or a later cartographer is unclear.

Map

TR04_13

 

Aberdeen Local Studies

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