A very attractive map of Middlesex by Joan Blaeu (1598-1673) published just four years into the English Civil War. It appeared in the fourth volume of Joan Blaeu’s ‘Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’, covering England and Wales. Willem Blaeu established his firm in 1599 as instrument and globe makers. He went on to produce some of the highest quality atlases ever published. Blaeu’s first topographical atlas appeared in 1630 in one volume and was gradually expanded. By 1640 his son Joan Blaeu was running the business and the work was in three volumes and contained just four British Isles maps. His chief rival, the Hondius-Jansson publication, contained 18 maps. Both joined a race to produce a volume of the British Isles. Blaeu was first, publishing this magnificent work in 1645, one year before that of Jansson’s. The work of Blaeu set a standard of design, beauty and quality that arguably has never been surpassed. This is an example from the Dutch edition of 1648. Provenance: private foreign collection. Koeman (1967-70) Bl 46A pp. 182 no. 318; Skelton (1970) 28 & 45; Van der Krogt (1997-2010) 5281:2.