Britannia Depicta Or Ogilby Improv'd was the most popular and successful Ogilby derivative atlas, published in response to public demand for a small road atlas that could be easily carried by travelers. The atlas reproduced Ogilby's strip-style road maps and added individual county maps. It was published by Thomas Bowles in a series of editions between 1720 and 1764. The historical notes that accompany each map were compiled by John Owen, a respected lawyer and antiquarian. The maps were engraved by Emanuel Bowen who went on to become one of London's leading engravers and print sellers in the 18th century. The maps are embellished with coats of arms and contain immense detail and topographical information. A compass rose orients each map and useful landmarks include hills, bridges, rivers and streams, windmills, churches, markets, parks and forests, water wells and even gallows.

These handsome sheets contain county maps of Wales on the rectos along with Ogilby-style strip road maps on the versos. They are well-illustrated with decorative title cartouches and coat-of-arms, and are accompanied by descriptive text by John Owen. The list of maps includes:

A. The Road from Monmouth to Lanbeder..., (4.6 x 7.1").
B. The Road from Welshpool to Carnarvan..., (4.6 x 7.3").
C. The Roads from Camarthen to Cardigan to Lladebar & to Aberistwith..., (4.6 x 7.1").
D. The Road from Shrewsbury to Holywell..., (4.6 x 7.2").

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.BOW-1a.

Condition: A

Nice impressions with minor toning along the sheet edges. The third map (Roads from Camarthen) has a small chip in the right blank margin.