The first illustrated edition of William Camden’s important ‘Britannia’. First published in 1586, an issue with county maps had been contemplated since at least 1589 when Abraham Ortelius advised Camden to use the services of a Dutch firm of engravers such as the brothers Doetecum. It would not appear until 1607. ‘No praise was thought too high for the Britannia’ (Taylor). Camden (1551-1623) was an antiquary and historian. An academic by profession he would become the headmaster of Westminster School in 1593. He spent much of his time travelling and collecting material for his highly respected Britannia. The Britannia is a noble piece of literature carefully composed over many years and is the fruit of deep and diligent research. It was the first great history of the Islands and was first published in 1586. An instant success it would go on to many editions over the ensuing two centuries. This edition is the first in which Camden answers the charges raised by Ralph Brooke in his ‘Discoverie of Certaine Errours’, 1599.

‘If Camden is not the first English historian (in the modern sense), topographer, and antiquarian, he was certainly the first to relate the three studies, and his Britannia, primarily topographical, is the first book which shows, even in a rudimentary form, the need to evaluate sources. It was the revolutionary subject matter and it seven more revolutionary treatment of the subject, which made it at once the vehicle and the model for research in all three subjects for the next two hundred and fifty years’ (Printing and the Mind of Man, no. 101). The publisher George Bishop (fl. 1562-1611) was one of the first English born booksellers to be significant in the import trade. He would also be behind the 1607 edition which bore county maps. The maps here are engraved by William Rogers in a beautiful style. Interestingly the plates of coins are provided by John Speed. Provenance: manuscript ownership inscription of Joseph A. H. Heuding on the typographic titlepage; ex Libris Carroll Alton Means bookplate pasted inside front cover; private English collection. Bendall (2002) p. 39; ESTC S107386; Hind (1952-55) I pls. 153 & 154; refer Skelton (1970) 5; STC (1986) 4507; Taylor (1968) II pp. 9-13; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).