The map’s first published form was as a two-sheet map by George Lily (c.1510-59) printed in Rome in 1546. It is the first separately published map of the British Isles and recognised as the first modern map. Its sources were numerous with many up-to-date, the big improvement was in the depiction of Scotland. Lily was a son of the famous grammarian William Lily and was under the patronage of Reginald Pole, with whom he returned from Italy in 1556. He was a noted historian and Catholic exile in Rome. Unfortunately that map is of remarkable rarity with just 14 examples currently recorded, only two of which are in private hands.

Of the original highly influential map there were more than a dozen later derivatives. In 1549 two woodcut maps were published in Antwerp both of which survive in just one known example. Similarly one by Matteo Pagano in Venice also a woodcut is known in just one example. The first copperplate version is this one published similarly in Rome which is unsigned and bears the newly formed Jesuit Society insignia ‘IHS’ lower right by which it is usually known. The accurate census of this map records 24 known examples only three of which are confirmed as being in private hands. A simple title appears upper left whilst retaining the original two panels describing Ireland and Britain which culminates with the inscription ‘Cum Privilegio Suml. Pontificis MDLVI’. Degrees of longitude and latitude are marked by the scale of miles is omitted. All four cardinals are named. Provenance: Private English collection. Karrow (1993) pp. 226 & 270; Lynam (1934); Shirley 60; Taylor (1968) I p. 16; Tooley (1939) no. 269; Tooley (1999-2004).