Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

John Speed

York Shire

Published: John Sudbury and G. Humble, London, 1611

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A beautiful 1611 map of Yorkshire, including part of Westmore Land, Lancashire, Lincolneshire, and the Germain Ocean (today's North Sea). The map is from John Speed's Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine the first English atlas of the British Isles.  

  A compass rose and the coat of arms of King Charles the First are displayed at the top right. 

  Speed's Theatre was an atlas that supplemented his Historie of Great Britaiine. The atlas first was published in 1611 - 1612 with early editions, such as this example, being sold 'in Popes head alley, against the Exchange by John Sudbury and G. Humble'. The atlas was popular and went through many reprints and editions.

  Speed's atlas was a cartographic supplement to his Historie of Great Britaine. The atlas took England into mainstream map publishing, which had been dominated by the Dutch since the late sixteenth century; nevertheless Speed had to outsource engraving to the Netherlands because of the dearth of skills in England. He probably selected Jodocus Hondius the Elder both because of his expertise and because he was well known in England, where he had been refugee from religious persecution.

This beautifully hand coloured map was printed on two pages; it is on firm paper and is in excellent condition. Minor repairs to the central join are quite common for his maps excised from the Theatre; on this map, there is some small triangular defect has been professionally restored at the bottom of the central join.

  • Overall Condition: Very good
  • Size: 50.5 x 38.5 cm
  • Sold By: Roger Stewart Antiquarian
  • Contact Person: Dr. Roger Stewart
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: +27836541081
  • Preferred Payment Methods: LOCAL: EFT; INTERNATIONAL: PAYPAL (add 5%) or Bank Transfer; no credit cards
  • Trade Associations: IMCOS


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