This map of Ireland comes from the second edition of Paolo Santini's 'Atlas Universel' first published in 1776. He sold the plates in 1781 to Giuseppe Antonio Remondini who published this issue in 1784. It is in the second state of three and contains a beautifully engraved title cartouche upper left. Bonar-Law 117 ii; Cremonini 75; Tooley Dictionary.

This is from an edition of William Camden’s 'Britannia' first published in 1586. It was the last to be published in his lifetime and the first to be illustrated with county maps although this had been contemplated since at least 1589. Camden (1551-1623) was an antiquary and historian. An academic by profession he would become the headmaster of Westminster School in 1593. He spent much of his time travelling and collecting material for his highly respected 'Britannia'. This map of Glamorgan in South Wales engraved by William Hole is from the second fully illustrated edition of William Camden's classic work and the first without text on the verso. An example of the second state. Chubb 18; Evans (1964) MCC no. 13 p. 6; Shirley BL T.Camd 1e; Skelton 5; STC 4508; Taylor 'Late Tudor and Early Stuart Geography' pp. 9- 13.

This is from the sixth edition of William Camden’s 'Britannia' first published in 1586. It was the last to be published in his lifetime and the first to be illustrated with county maps although this had been contemplated since at least 1589. Camden (1551-1623) was an antiquary and historian. An academic by profession he would become the headmaster of Westminster School in 1593. He spent much of his time travelling and collecting material for his highly respected 'Britannia'. The first printed map of Cambridgeshire from William Camden's 'Britannia', the first fully illustrated edition of his classic work. An example of the second state from the third edition. Chubb 18; Shirley BL T.Camd 1e; Skelton 5; STC 4508; Taylor 'Late Tudor and Early Stuart Geography' pp. 9- 13.

The first printed map of Cardigan from the first fully illustrated edition of William Camden's classic work, the 'Britannia'. An example of the FIRST STATE from the second and preferred edition of 1610 without text to the verso. Refer to Skelton no. 5.

The first printed map of Cumberland from William Camden's 'Britannia'. This is from the seventh edition of William Camden’s 'Britannia' first published in 1586. It was the last to be published in his lifetime and the first to be illustrated with county maps although this had been contemplated since at least 1589. Camden (1551-1623) was an antiquary and historian. An academic by profession he would become the headmaster of Westminster School in 1593. He spent much of his time travelling and collecting material for his highly respected 'Britannia'. An example of the preferred first state from the second edition without text on the verso. Chubb 18; Higham pp. 15-16; Shirley BL T.Camd 1c; Skelton 5; Taylor 'Late Tudor and Early Stuart Geography' pp. 9- 13.

The first printed map of Durham from William Camden's 'Britannia'. This is from the seventh edition of William Camden’s 'Britannia' first published in 1586. It was the last to be published in his lifetime and the first series to be illustrated with county maps, although this had been contemplated since at least 1589. Camden (1551-1623) was an antiquary and historian. An academic by profession he would become the headmaster of Westminster School in 1593. He spent much of his time travelling and collecting material for his highly respected 'Britannia'. An example of the second state from the second edition without text on the verso. Chubb 19; Shirley BL T.Camd 1c; Skelton 6; Taylor 'Late Tudor and Early Stuart Geography' pp. 9- 13.

The first printed map of the East Riding of Yorkshire. That by Saxton was of the whole county. This is an example of the only state, published in 1637. From the first fully illustrated edition of Camden's classic work, the 'Britannia'. Skelton no. 23.

The first printed map of the North Riding from William Camden's 'Britannia', the first fully illustrated edition of his classic work. A fine example of the only state from the second edition without text to the verso. Rawnsley 4; refer to Skelton no. 5.

This is from an edition of William Camden’s 'Britannia' first published in 1586. It was the last to be published in his lifetime and the first to be illustrated with county maps although this had been contemplated since at least 1589. Camden (1551-1623) was an antiquary and historian. An academic by profession he would become the headmaster of Westminster School in 1593. He spent much of his time travelling and collecting material for his highly respected 'Britannia'. This is engraved by William Kip and is from the first fully illustrated edition of William Camden's classic work, this example from the preferred second edition without text to the verso. Chubb 18; Evans (1964) MCC no. 13 p. 6; Shirley BL T.Camd 1b; Skelton 5; STC 4508; Taylor 'Late Tudor and Early Stuart Geography' pp. 9- 13.

A fine example of one of the rarest states of the Christopher Saxton map of Glamorgan. With inset plans of Cardyfe and Landaffe. Only five examples of the atlas survive. At first glance one might be inclined to think this is the Philip Lea edition however closer examination reveals the presence of George Willdey's imprint lower right. The date of the death of Philip Lea’s widow Anne is unknown but on 5 August 1730 the "Daily Journal" carried an advertisement announcing the sale by auction of "all the Copper Plates belonging to the Estate of Mrs. Anne Lea, deceased ... with all the County Maps of Great Britain and Ireland". From 1709 early in his career Willdey was advertising maps for sale. Willdey’s first advertisement announcing the county plates was placed in the Daily Post for 3 February 1732 (illustrated in Hodson I p. 142). They were sold individually for 4d. each. In none his adverts up to his death in November 1737 does he mention the county maps be bound as an atlas with a title-page. However in 1721 when advertising his series of two sheet maps he stated that ‘This Set of Maps may be fitted up several ways and sizes, or bound in a Book, or sold single, to fit Gentlemens Conveniency ...’ It can be assumed that he would be just as accommodating with the single sheet county maps and that therefore a c.1732 date is reasonable for the atlas.Willdey’s last advert was placed in the 'Daily Post', 12 November 1737, which carried in its news columns the announcement that ‘Yesterday Morning died of an Apopletick Fit, Mr. Willdey, who kept the noted great Toyshop at the Corner of Ludgate-street by St. Paul’s; said to have died very rich.’ Curiously although all the newspapers agreed he died on 11 November his will is signed 12 November. The business was continued by Thomas Willdey although it is not clear whether this his George’s brother, or son. Thomas died in 1748 and the business was closed as there were many creditors. Hodson I no. 183; Shirley 'Atlases in the British Library', T.Sax 1j.