"The Countie of Radnor Described and the Shytetownes Sittuatione", Speed, John

This beautiful map of Radnorshire was engraved by Jodocus Hondius. It includes four decorative cartouches, a view of the castle at Radnor, scale of miles, coat of arms, title, also Prince of Wales feathers and fancy script lettering. Speed rarely credited his sources, but in this case he credits his great predecessor, Christopher Saxon, with the basic information on this map. Saxon published his atlas in 1579 and included regional maps of Wales. Speed wanted to make his atlas distinctive, so he separated his maps into individual counties. There is modest detail throughout the map. English text on verso with the imprint of John Sudbury and George Humbell, published circa 1627.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-1b.

Condition: B

A nice impression with attractive color, light soiling, and several minor extraneous creases. There are archival repairs to a number of small tears and chips along the edges of the sheet, with a couple of tears entering the map border at top. Remargined at bottom to accommodate framing.