A map of France from Richard Blome’s ‘Geographical Description of the Four Parts of the World’ published in 1670 which was the first all English folio world atlas. It was intended as the second part of his grand atlas in four volumes announced in 1668. The map is derived from that of Nicolas Sanson as duly claimed in the title. The engraving is the work of Francis Lamb whose imprint is found lower left. Nearby is a dedication to William Russell, Earl of Bedford, whose subscription along with others helped to finance the atlas’ production. Although dated 1670 it was printed in December 1669.

Richard Blome (1635-1705) was the son of Jacob Bloome, a member of the Stationers’ Company. Although his family name is written in contemporary documents as Bloome, he himself used Blome. He was made free of the Stationers’ Company in August 1660 at the time of the Restoration of Charles II. According to Skelton, he began as a ruler of paper and a heraldic painter, both features which are seen in his later works. His earliest known work is a geographical treatise published in 1663. From 1667 the first of a series of maps of the world was engraved for ‘A Geographical Description of the Four Parts of the World’ published in 1670. The maps were openly described as copies of those of Nicolas Sanson in Paris and Blome’s work was derided by earlier commentators. This was a very early phase of English map publishing, and the undertaking was full of peril. Sanderson (1971) NMM 303 no. 16; Shirley (2004) T.Blom-1a no.16; refer Skelton (1970) 90; Tyacke (1978) nos. 6 & 7; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).