By arguably the most famous English cartographer, John Speed (1552-1629). Published in the ‘Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain’, 1612. It was the first atlas of the whole British Isles. He was a tailor by trade and had a fascination for history. He used numerous sources for the counties and had the plates engraved by Jodocus Hondius in Amsterdam. The book took several years to prepare hence earlier dates appear on some, and in this case an earlier proof does exist. This issue is from the penultimate edition published by Roger Rea c.1665. His maps are noted for being the first to include the boundaries of the hundreds, and for introducing town plans on the maps. This one of Hampshire includes upper left an inset plan of Winchester. Shirley BL T.Spe 1h; Skelton 81.