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The first English world atlas – a spectacular example: red-ruled and with fine period colour.
The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine.
Presenting An Exact Geography of the Kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland and the Isles adjoyning with the Shires Hundreds Citys and the Shire townes within the Kingdome of England devided and described As also A Prospect of the most famous Parts of the World by John Speed With many Additions never before Extant.
London,
Printed for Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell
1676
Folio atlas, two works, comprising five parts in one volume (450 by 320mm), incorporating 96 double-page engraved maps; the first work: four parts in one volume, royal achievement of Charles II, engraved title, printed title, dedications and licence, and 11pp. preliminaries, and 68 double-page engraved maps; the second work: printed title incorporating contents leaf and 28 double-page engraved maps, red-ruled throughout, with the engraved title in full period colour and each map in outline period colour, contemporary calf, re-backed.
Collation: The first work: [2]; A-Eeee2 (signatures E1r - Eeee2v are paginated 1-146), the pages bearing maps are not numbered or allowed for in the numeration, Ffff-Hhhh2 (index). The second work: [1]; A-Ee2, (paginated 1-56, the pages bearing maps are not numbered or allowed for in the numeration).
Collation: The first work: [2]; A-Eeee2 (signatures E1r - Eeee2v are paginated 1-146), the pages bearing maps are not numbered or allowed for in the numeration, Ffff-Hhhh2 (index). The second work: [1]; A-Ee2, (paginated 1-56, the pages bearing maps are not numbered or allowed for in the numeration).
2297
notes:
The first world atlas published by an Englishman in England. This edition with the full complement of maps of the Americas.
This example of the atlas has the distinction of having the preliminary engraved title, and the dedicatory page (to Charles II) in spectacular full period colour, and with each map in period outline colour. In addition, the work has been red-ruled throughout, with a double border in red ink applied around each map or page of text. This tech...
This example of the atlas has the distinction of having the preliminary engraved title, and the dedicatory page (to Charles II) in spectacular full period colour, and with each map in period outline colour. In addition, the work has been red-ruled throughout, with a double border in red ink applied around each map or page of text. This tech...
bibliography:
Wing S4886; Skelton 92; Chubb xxvii; Sabin 89228.
provenance:
