1676 Map THE KINGDOME OF IRLAND Ireland John Speed Bassett Chiswell (JS) SPEED, John

An outstanding copperplate engravingof John Speeds decorative map of THE KINGDOME OF IRLAND Devided into severall Provinces and the againe devided into Counties Newly described. A very decorative and finely engraved 17th century map of Ireland which was published in John SpeedsTheatre of the Empire of Great Britaine(London:Thomas Bassett Richard Chiswell, 1676). English text on verso. Later hand colouring.Speeds map is considered perhaps the best depiction of Ireland of its time. Engraved by Jodocus Hondius, the map is a true work of art, combining great detail with artistic flourishes, including a compass rose, cherubs, ships, sea monsters, the Royal coats of arms, and vignette depictions of The Gentleman of Ireland; The Gentlewoman of Ireland; The Civill Irish Woman; The Civill Irish Man; The Wilde Irish Man; The Wilde Irish Woman.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.Overall outstandingcondition.Overall size including the margins approx 40cm x 52.5cm.