This very rare map was first published in George Bickham’s fully engraved ‘British Monarchy’ c.1743. It is of extreme rarity, only seven examples of the atlas are recorded. A little known later edition by George Bickham Junior was published by Laurie and Whittle in 1796 under the title ‘A Curious Antique Collection of Birds-eye Views of the Several Counties’. Of great rarity in either edition. The maps are highly collected for their distinctiveness. It is a pictorial view of the county with foreground vignettes of local scenery. This is an example of the map of the county of Leicestershire in its second state. For this the map is shortened slightly and a simple ‘Leicestershire’ applied for a title. Bickham was a renowned author and engraver of works on calligraphy. Chubb (1927) 178; Deadman & Brooks (2010) p. 74; Hodson (1984-97) 218; Lyon (1978); refer Schrire (1966) no. 29; Shirley (2004) T.Bick 1c; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).