This is the third state of a very rare map of England and Wales by Arthur Tooker. Tooker was a map and printseller in the Strand, London, who often worked in partnership with larger mapmakers including Robert Greene, Robert Morden and John Seller. This particular road map of England and Wales was first published in collaboration with Robert Greene and is one of the first to incorporate the work of John Ogilby’s landmark ‘Britannia’ atlas. Published in 1675 that work was the first survey of the roads of England and Wales and was an instant hit. It did not however include a general map depicting the roads. This work answered that call by showing an outline of England and Wales and their respective counties. They then laid upon that framework the roads depicted in Ogilby’s work and included mile markers and towns along the way. The market towns bear a letter beside them indicating the day of the week on which the market occurred. A further key identifies the towns close to London which for reasons of space and clarity are not named on the map. ‘Britannia’ is famous for above other things standardising the length of the mile and a legend below the title explains it. Each mile on the road is marked with a dot or ‘prick’ as described in the title with a figure given every ten miles. There are in total more roads indicted than are found in the ‘Britiannia’ showing that Tooker must have utilised a further source of information. The title is enclosed within a very ornate cartouche with a further one to the left. This extremely decorative scene surrounds a dedication and depicts a pair of gentlemen riding in the country surrounded by local folk, a horse drawn wagon and a dog.

The map was first advertised in the ‘London Gazette’ in March 1680 and within a month the advert included the names of William Battersby and Thomas Wright. Battersby’s name replaced that of Robert Greene on the map. Only two examples of the first state are recorded which are in the King’s Topographical Collection at the British Library and the Bodleian Library. Sometime around 1690 the plate was acquired by the successful Philip Lea who added his name and address to the map and updated the Royal Arms to reflect the reign of William and Mary from 1689. It is this state offered here. Bennett (1996) p. 18-19; Shirley (1650-1750) Tooker 2 (described as state 4).