A very attractive example of the most prestigious English world atlas of the seventeenth century by John Speed (1552-1629). 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’, 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. First he prepared a series of county maps of England and Wales and personally travelled all over the British Isles to acquire the information. Between 1605 and 1610 he prepared these manuscripts and sent them to Jodocus Hondius in Amsterdam to engrave most of the plates.

The ‘Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World’ was first published in 1627, two years before the death of Speed. It was often bound with the ‘Theatre’ and added an additional 21 engraved maps of the various parts of the world. 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: East India, Russia, Canaan and four maps of the ‘Kings dominions abroad’ the American colonies: New England, Virginia and Maryland, Carolina, Jamaica and Barbados. Printed by William Godbid, it was available for sale by 10 February 1676, the date by which it is referred to in the ‘Term Catalogues’.

The fine map of Bermuda is drawn from that of Richard Norwood. Only two printed maps pre-date its issue; Andre Thevet’s fictitious map of c.1586 surviving in just one example and John Smith’s great rare map of 1624. The maps are attractive because of the border illustrations and insets with the arms of the country and the nobility, figures in national costume, city views, town plans, views of castles and cathedrals, and other interesting features. Phillips ‘Atlases’ 488; Shirley BL T.Spe 1i; Skelton 92; Wing S4886.