1676 RARE Original Antique Map of WALES by John Speed and Bassett Chiswell SPEED, John

WALESAn outstanding exampleof John Speeds decorative map of WALES with later hand colouring. Inset vignette views of Assaph, Denbigh, Flint, Montgomery, Radnor, Brecknock, Cardife, Beaumaris, Caernarvon, Harlieg, Cardigan, Penbrok, Carmarthen, St Davids Landafewith fourcrests,a scale cartouche andmaritime scenes of aGalleonand sea monsters. English text on verso.John Speed (1552-1629) is the most famous of all English cartographers primarily as a result of The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, the first Atlas of the British Isles. The maps from this Atlas are the best known and most sought-after of all county maps. The maps were derived mainly from earlier prototypes fo Christopher Saxon and Robert Norden but with notable improvements include parish Hundreds and county boundaries, town plans and embellishments such as the coats of arms of local Earls, Dukes and the Royal Household.Published in 1676 by Thomas Bassett Richard Chiswell in Fleet Street, London.The example is in outstanding condition with central fold as issued, good clear margins and later hand colour. In the bottom margin, just right of the central fold is a small piece of repair where a piece of age appropriate paper has been added (in the margin only) of approx 2.5cm where the original margin had suffered some damage. On verso, there is a small Library stamp of approx 2cm circular diameter, which cannot be seen from the front.Overall size including the margins approx 41.5cm x 53cm.