A superb map of Cornwall by arguably the most famous English cartographer, John Speed (1552-1629). It was published in the ‘Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain’, 1612, the first atlas of the whole British Isles. He was a tailor by trade and had a fascination for history. He used numerous sources for the counties, this one is derived from the manuscript of John Norden and had the plates engraved by Jodocus Hondius in Amsterdam. The book took several years to prepare hence earlier states appear of some, and in this case an earlier proof does exist. This therefore is the FIRST PUBLISHED STATE. His maps are noted for being the first to include the boundaries of the hundreds, and for introducing town plans on the maps. Here we find a fine birds-eye depiction of ‘Launceston’. This view is drawn from John Norden’s lost manuscript. Quixley (1966) no. 7; Shirley BL T.Spe 1b; Skelton 7.