The so-called 'Anonymous' map of Surrey

SMITH, William.

Surriæ Comitatus Continens in Se Oppida Mercatoria VII. Ecclesias Parochiales CXL.
London: John Overton, c.1665. 385 x 485mm.

Narrow margins as issued, otherwise a very good example, dark impression.

A close copy of John Norden's map of Surrey, but on a larger scale. It is one of a collection of twelve county maps drawn by William Smith and believed to have been engraved by Jodocus Hondius in Amsterdam in 1602-3. On the map Smith has marked the major roads, something which did not become a feature on other county maps until after Ogilby's 'Britannia' in 1675.

The other counties were never engraved, possibly because Hondius dropped the project in favour of Speed's atlas. About 1650 the plates came into the possession of Peter Stent, who added 'Printed andd Sould by P.Stent' bottom left; this example comes from the third and final state, with 'Sould by Jo: Overton at the white horse without Newgate neere y fountaine tauern' centre bottom.


Stock ID : 9177