"Bedford Shire and the Situation of Bedford Described with the Armes of Thos Honorable Familyes That Have Borne ye Titles of Dukes and Earls Thereof", Speed, John
Subject: Eastern England
Period: 1610 (dated)
Publication: The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine
Color: Hand Color
Size:
20.1 x 15.1 inches
51.1 x 38.4 cm
This highly decorative map of Bedfordshire includes a large inset with a plan of the city of Bedford. Additional ornamentation includes putti holding a terrestrial sphere and an armillary sphere, the coats of arms of important families in Bedford, and the Royal arms. Engraved by Jodocus Hondius and sold by George Humble. English text on verso, published between 1627-32.
References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-1e.
Condition: B
A nice impression on a sheet with a bunch of grapes watermark, light toning along the centerfold and edges of the sheet, light soiling, and a few small abrasions in the image. There are archival repairs to a separation and a few short tears along the centerfold at bottom. There are tiny chips along the edges of the sheet resulting in a narrow bottom margin.
