A very attractive example from the most prestigious English world atlas of the seventeenth century by John Speed (1552-1629). This map of Tartary extends from the Caspian Sea in the south west to Moskua (Moscow). It extends southwards below the 40th parallel into Tagalistan and western China. The Great Wall is prominently displayed and much of the ‘island’ of Korea is in the east. Top right is part of America separated by the Strait of Anian. A large legend in the north describes Nova Zembla and how the eastern shore is as yet unknown. This map takes in most of the ancient Silk Route between Europe and Asia. The significance of this route is shown by the fact that three of the four images in the upper border are of towns on the route. This carte-a-figures is engraved by Dirck Gryp who illustrates eight native costumed figures in the side panels. The upper border contains four large views of the cities of Astracan, Samarchand, Cambalu (Alma-Ata) and ‘the’ house on Nova Zemla. The last depicts the winter quarters of Willem Barentsz’s last fateful voyage of 1596-97.

Speed is the most famous of all the English map-makers. His two most celebrated publications are ‘The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain’ covering the British Isles, first published in 1611[12] and the ‘Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World’, first published in 1627. Speed was a tailor by profession with a great interest in history and maps. He wanted to produce an English atlas of the same high standards and quality as those published on the continent.

The ‘Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World’ was published in 1627, two years before the death of Speed. Ownership of the atlas passed through various hands until sometime after 1668 when Roger Rea sold the rights to Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell. Bassett was a specialist in legal books and Chiswell was the publisher for the Royal Society. The final 1676 edition of the ‘Prospect’ includes eight further maps on seven sheets appearing for the first and only time. Phillips ‘Atlases’ 488; Shirley BL T.Spe 1j; Skelton 92; Wing S4886.