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Speed, John: : Wales

Copper engraving, 38.5 x 51.5 cms, recent hand-colour, closed centrefold split, English text on verso.

One of the most decorative early maps of Wales, and the first separate map of the country to appear in a British Atlas. The map is flanked by bird’s eye views of the twelve county towns and, in the corners, the four cathedral towns of Wales. Note that the town of Monmouth, given its ambiguous status (Welsh-speaking but considered part of England by some), is excluded, although Monmouthshire is of course included on the map.

SPEED, John : Wales

William Humble, London, 1612-[46]

385 x 515 mm., with recent outline and wash colour, in good condition.

This map is by arguably the most famous English cartographer, John Speed (1552-1629). First published in the 'Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain', 1612. It was 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 and had the plates engraved by Jodocus Hondius in Amsterdam. This issue is from the 1646 edition published by William Humble. Speed's 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 on the left panel Beaumaris, Carnarvan, Harlieg, Cardigan, Penbrok and Carmarthen. The right side bears Denbigh, Flint, Montgomery, Radnor, Brecknok and Cardife. Booth p. 30; Evans (1964) p. 7; Roberts (1994) pp. 34-9; Shirley (2004) T.Spe 1g; Skelton (1970) 48.