An example of the extremely rare first edition from the Wardington Collection. It was produced by Edward Wells specifically for the education of his pupil William, Duke of Gloucester, son of Queen Anne. The maps are all dedicated to him. Always a sickly child, he died 29 July 1700. They were engraved by the official engraver to the University of Oxford, Michael Burghers (1647?-1727), along with Robert Spofforth (fl.1700-07) and Sutton Nicholls (1668-1729). The atlas was made as the title indicates ‘to be the most natural and easy method to lead Young Students (for whose Use the Work is principally intended) unto a competent Knowledge of the Geographical Science’.

Edward Wells (1667-1727) was born the son of Edward Wells, the Vicar of Corsham, Wiltshire. Educated at Westminster School from 1680 he won a scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford, in 1686. He graduated MA in 1693. He went on to have a turbulent career in the ministry, being involved in many controversies of the time. A prolific writer, he translated several religious and secular works from Latin and Greek into English. He also wrote several scientific works on astronomy, chronology, arithmetic and geometry. It is one of his works in geography that is offered here. His main work is ‘A New Sett of Maps of Antient and Present Geography’, 1700.

In the ‘London Gazette’ for 8-11 May 1699 a proposal was published for a ‘New Set of Maps … The Price of the whole Set will not exceed 30s. The first payment for the first Ten General Maps (which will be finished in June or July next) is 5s.’ This advert was placed by Awnsham and John Churchill, the successful publishers in London, with Thomas Bennet also of London and J. Crook of Oxford as partners. The next announcement on 28 September to 2 October states that these same ten maps ‘will be ready to be delivered the first day of Michaelmas Term’. At the same time it announced new subscriptions were available for the next group of sixteen maps. It is highly likely that these ten general maps included the world, Europe, Asia, and Africa which each consisted of a modern and an ancient map, and the Americas were divided between the North and South. The ensuing sixteen maps were delivered 13 May 1700, with the remaining fifteen maps delivered 28 October 1700. The plates were prepared by some of the most accomplished engravers working in Oxford including Michael Burghers. The first edition of the atlas was 1700. The delivery late in the year of the final group of maps lends to the extreme rarity of the first edition.

The atlas was reissued in dated editions of 1701, 1702, 1704, 1714, 1718, and 1722. There are also undated editions issued both before and after the death of Wells in 1727. ‘These plates are fine impressions but they have been most appallingly, though accurately, coloured. It has its charms however. It is after all a child’s atlas and this colouring has obviously been done by a child’ (Wardington Catalogue). Provenance: Duke of Beaufort, Badminton House, shelf marks, acquired by Lord Wardington through Marlborough Rare Books, London, 4 September 1984, for £1,250; Wardington Library sale Sotheby’s 10 October 2006 lot 534 with bookplate inside back cover; private English collection. Burden (1996-2007) nos. 758 & 773; ODNB; Phillips (1909-) 3489; Shirley (2004) T.Well 1am; Tyacke nos. 308, 311, 317, 324, 329, 330 & 332; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2004).