"Denbighshire", Speed, John

This fine map of the historic county of Denbighshire was engraved by Jodocus Hondius. It is fully decorated with three large strapwork cartouches and the coats of arms for the Union of the Crowns, Wales, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, and William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh. An inset at top right depicts Denbigh with a key identifying 14 places of interest and a view of the castle. In the sea there is a sailing ship, a sea monster, and Neptune riding a sea-horse. English text on verso, published in 1676 by Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell.

John Speed is best known for this important atlas of Great Britain, which is considered the finest achievement in British map-making. Speed assembled the information for this atlas based on the work of Christopher Saxton and John Norden, updated with new information. He also introduced innovations of his own including the inclusion of town plans, indications of the hundreds, county boundaries, and the coats of arms of local Earls and Dukes. The maps were finely engraved by Jodocus Hondius, one of the preeminent engravers of the period.

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

Condition: B+

A nice impression on paper with a fleur-de-lis watermark. There is light toning along the centerfold and sheet's edges and some minor spots.