A very rare decorative two-sheet map of England and Wales by Henry Overton of which there are only six recorded examples. The ‘genre of two-sheet … maps originated in France with Alexis-Hubert Jaillot, and was introduced to England by William Berry and popularized by Herman Moll, John Senex and Charles Price’ (Armitage & Baynton-Williams). Overton lists several similar sized maps in an advert below the title and includes the date 1719 to which this is attributed.

Henry Overton (1676?-1751) was the second son of John Overton (1640-1713) and took over his business in June 1707. Henry Overton re-issued his father’s two-sheet distance map of c.1690. In both known examples the imprint is presumed to have been pasted over that of his father. In July 1717 Overton first announced in the ‘Post Man’ that he had a ‘set’ of two-sheet maps for sale, no reference appears for this particular one. In October 1718 he announced Proposals for a ‘General Atlas’ consisting of ‘100 sheets of an elephant paper’. The 1743 Speed-Overton county atlas has an advert on the index stating ‘A Sett of 25 Two Sheet MAPS, after the latest, and best Observations. Neatly Bound in Marble Paper, with Leather Back, and Corners, Coloured. Price 1L. 4s.’

This later distance map is derived from that of George Willdey from about 1715. The distance markings between towns accompany double lined roads, all derived from John Adam’s map of 1677. The borders left and right contain an alphabetical list of the main towns and include details of whether they are navigable by vessels, similar to the earlier Willdey. Outside those lists are a series of 54 heraldic shields and 2 mitres of senior bishops. Examples are recorded at the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, and Leiden University. Armitage (2012) pp. 154, 245; Shirley (1988) Overton 11; Tyacke (1978) 407; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).