John Speed's map of Essex

SPEED, John.

Essex, devided into Hundreds, with the most antient and fayre Towne Colchester Described and other memorable Monuments observed. Anno 1610.
London: William Humble, 1646. Coloured. 390 x 515mm.

Paper lightly toned otherwise a fine example.

A highly decorative map of map of Essex published in John Speed's county atlas, the 'Theatre of the Empire of Breat Britain'.

Around the edges are an inset town plan of Colchester, a strapwork title cartouche and depictions of three Roman coins. On the map London is shown in profile, dominated by the Norman St Paul's Cathedral.
Unlike most of Speed's maps it is based on the work of John Norden, a contemporary of Saxton's and the first to plan a series of county histories. However he failed to attract sufficient backing for his enterprise and never completed it. His surveying was superior to Saxton's, and Speed preferred to use Norden as a source where possible.


Stock ID : 22538