A very attractive map of England and Wales. Although the map is undated Shirley speculates that it was issued at around the time of the crowning of William and Mary as they are featured in the ornate title cartouche designed by Philip Tiedman and engraved by Gelliam van den Gouwen. Although Shirley identifies two known states, there are now four recorded, this example is not recorded in Shirley’s ‘Printed Maps of the British Isles 1650-1750’. It bears the Covens and Mortier imprint along the bottom as described in Shirley’s state 2, however Allard’s name remains in the cartouche. Carol Allard (1648-c.1706) was the son of Hugo Allard (1625-91), also a cartographer in Amsterdam. He took over the business of his father upon his death. By 1706 he had transferred ownership to his own son, Abraham (1676-c.1730). In 1708 a wholesale auction of the stock took place. Carol Allard is mainly known for selling the works of others although some of his own were published such as this. He never received a privilege from the authorities and was often in trouble with the Guild. In one instance for selling ‘obscene and scurrilous prints and drawings’.

This is an original work by Allard which Koeman states ‘are very decorative, well-composed and up-to-date. They surpass the then obsolete maps by Blaeu and Janssonius’. This plate came into the hands of Johannes Covens and Cornelis Mortier, one of the most successful publishers in eighteenth century Amsterdam. At first their imprint was added to the bottom of the plate only before a fourth state replaced that of Allard in the title also. Provenance: acquired from Doreen Green 2005; private English collection.Koeman (1967-70) I Al.5; refer Shirley (1988) Allard 3.