A very attractive example from the most prestigious English world atlas of the seventeenth century by John Speed (1552-1629). ‘The third map relating to North America introduced into the 1676 edition of John Speed’s ‘Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine’ is this one of Carolina. It is drawn directly from the John Ogilby, c.1673, better known as the First Lords Proprietors map. The most obvious variance is the omission of the inset map of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, this is replaced by the title cartouche. Two minor differences are the omission of ‘Eruco R.’ near the ‘Deserta Arenosa’, and the location of ‘Charles Town’ being marked correctly on the south bank of the Ashley River. Indeed, this is one of the earliest available maps to depict Charleston, as it would become. It would not move to its final location at Oyster Point until ordered to relocate by the Lords Proprietors in 1680. In the interior John Lederer’s misleading cartography dominates.

‘Like the other maps of North America introduced into the atlas this is engraved by Francis Lamb. On the reverse of the map two panels of text describe the region derived from John Ogilby’s America, 1671. The left side describes Florida, the right Carolina. Interestingly there is a account of John Lederer’s travels to the interior, something that did not accompany the Ogilby version’ (Burden).

Speed is the most famous of all the English map-makers. His two most celebrated publications are ‘The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain’ covering the British Isles, first published in 1611[12] and the ‘Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World’, first published in 1627. Speed was a tailor by profession with a great interest in history and maps. He wanted to produce an English atlas of the same high standards and quality as those published on the continent.

The ‘Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World’ was published in 1627, two years before the death of Speed. Ownership of the atlas passed through various hands until sometime after 1668 when Roger Rea sold the rights to Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell. Bassett was a specialist in legal books and Chiswell was the publisher for the Royal Society. The final 1676 edition of the ‘Prospect’ includes eight further maps on seven sheets appearing for the first and only time. Cumming & De Vorsey (1998) no. 77; Phillips ‘Atlases’ 488; Shirley BL T.Spe 1j; Skelton 92; Wing S4886.