Clive A. Burden LTD. Rare Maps, Antique Atlases, Books and Decorative Prints

The Mapping of North America

Mr. Philip D. Burden​
P.O. Box 863,
Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks HP6 9HD,
UNITED KINGDOM
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An unusual allegorical map of the British Isles attributed to the great engraver Wenceslaus Hollar. A finely etched map surrounded by a total of seventeen vignettes keyed to the descriptive verse in four columns below the image. This piece provides a satirical political look on two wars, the Thirty Years War and the English Civil War. The inset to the right illustrates the Battle of Prague in 1620. The whole is surrounded by ‘historical scenes, with accompanying rhyming couplets along the lower border, relating to contemporary political events in England and Europe’ (Baynton-Williams). The item had clear influence being copied by two further engravers, this original example is etched and bears ten ships in the sea, the copies bear eight and seven ships. This is an example of the second state with the enhanced borders to the vignettes clearly standing forth. Baynton-Williams. Ashley and Miles (2008) ‘Maps of War’ pp. 32-3; British Library (1870) ‘Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires’ vol. 1, pp. 107-9; Pennington ‘Hollar’ no. 543; Shirley ‘Early Printed Maps of the British Isles’ no. 529 (since re-dated to 1659).
HOLLAR, Wenceslaus

(No title)

London, 1659-[c.60]
290 x 350 mm., trimmed to the neat line with old folds, repaired tear to lower right fold, otherwise in good condition.
Stock number: 7610

SOLD

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