FIRST STATE. This is the first map of England and Wales produced by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli (1650-1718) and published by Jean Baptiste Nolin (1657-1708). Coronelli spent much of the 1680s working in Paris at the behest of Louis XIV. Separately published it is rarely found. The map is dedicated to James II of England who was living in France at the time and still claiming the throne. In the year of this map’s publication, he landed in Ireland attempting but was defeated at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Indeed, the title cartouche designed by the artist Nicolas Guérard is set on a harp to represent Ireland.

The map represents both the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the current counties. An inset lower right illustrates the Channel Islands. A table on the left side provides statistical data for each county. Shirley only identified two states, this being the first but to date 5 states in all are known. This remains the first before the addition of Tillemon’a name to the title. Provenance: Doreen Green 2001; private English collection. Pastoureau (1984); Shirley (1988) Coronelli 1.1; Tooley’s Dictionary.