Catalog Archive
Auction 132, Lot 417

"The Road from London to Harwich…", Ogilby, John

Subject: England

Period: 1675 (circa)

Publication: Britannia

Color: Hand Color

Size:
17.3 x 13.2 inches
43.9 x 33.5 cm
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John Ogilby's 'Britannia' was published between 1675 and 1698. It is a landmark in the mapping of England and Wales. Its unique format constituted the first national road-atlas of any country in Western Europe. It was composed of maps of seventy-three major roads and cross-roads, presented in a continuous strip-form, on a uniform scale of one inch to a mile. Each beautiful map includes wonderful detail of the countryside with each strip containing a large compass rose to indicate changes in direction.

From the first book of road maps, Ogilby depicts the old Roman road that would become the modern A-12 road. Beginning with London at bottom left, it shows detail of all the important landmarks on the road through Rumford, Burntwood, Chelmsford, Witham, Keldon, Colchester, Maningtre and ending at Harwich.

References:

Condition: B+

Slight toning and foxing in margins with a small binding hole on fold in upper margin.

Estimate: $350 - $425

Sold for: $325

Closed on 6/2/2010

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