Speed's Carte-a-Figures Map of Modern Europe

"Europ, and the Cheife Cities Contayned Therin, Described; with the Habits of Most Kingdoms Now in Use", Speed, John

This is one of the most beautiful carte-a-figure maps of Europe, surrounded with vignettes on three sides. The upper frieze has eight bird's-eye views of London, Paris, Rome, Constantinople, Venice, Prague, Amsterdam and Lisbon. The side borders contain the costumes of the noblemen and women of ten European nations. The map shows the well-detailed but fictitious island of Frisland just off the coast of Iceland, and the seas are alive with sea monsters and ships. Beautifully engraved by Abraham Goos and published by Roger Rea circa 1662. Related English text on verso.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-2d.

Condition: B+

Watermarked paper with minor soiling, light show-through of text on verso, and a few printer's creases in the vignettes at top. There are professionally repaired centerfold separations that enter image less than 1/2" at top and 3" at bottom.