Clive A. Burden LTD. Rare Maps, Antique Atlases, Books and Decorative Prints

The Mapping of North America

Mr. Philip D. Burden​
P.O. Box 863,
Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks HP6 9HD,
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 (0) 1494 76 33 13
Email: enquiries@caburden.com

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.
SPEED, John

Cornwall

London, 1612
380 x 505 mm., evenly toned, some very minor margin nicks and tears, nothing substantially affecting the image, lower centrefold split repaired, otherwise in good condition.
Stock number: 5831

SOLD

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