John Speed's exquisite map of Asia embellished with miniature city views along the upper border and costumed figures on both sides. Kandy, Goa, Damascus, Jerusalem, Hormuz, Bantam, Aden, and Macao are the cities depicted, each reduced from a larger view by Braun & Hogenberg. The costumed figures include an Arabian man, an Armenian woman, a Sumatran man, and a Chinese man, amongst others.



John Speed was the most prominent and respected English map maker of the 17th century. He produced the first ever atlas of the world in English. It was attached as a supplement to his British county atlas and collectively the whole work was known as "A Theater of the Empire of Great Britaine and a Prospect of the Most Famous parts of the World". This map, therefore, is the first English atlas map of Asia.



Although his atlas was intended for the English market, the maps were engraved and prepared in Amsterdam as there were no engravers with sufficient skills to do the work in England at the time. As a result, the map is heavily influenced by the Dutch style, especially with the inclusion of the sumptuous illustrated borders, generally only found on Dutch maps. The quality of the engraving is stunning, far superior to any other English maps of the period and on par with the finest Dutch Golden Age maps.



One of the most endearing characteristics of this map is the charming 17th-century description of Asia printed on the reverse of the map in English [image available upon request]. It gives a fascinating insight into European understanding of the history, geography, politics, and cultures of Asia in 17th-century Britain, often in unintentionally humorous language.



John Speed's striking maps are highly collectible, and continue to be as appealing to collectors today as they were to Speed's contemporaries.



George Humble (1627) edition. Strong impression.

English text on verso. Image available on request.

[AS1181]