Clive A. Burden LTD. Rare Maps, Antique Atlases, Books and Decorative Prints

The Mapping of North America

Mr. Philip D. Burden​
P.O. Box 863,
Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks HP6 9HD,
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 (0) 1494 76 33 13
Email: enquiries@caburden.com

In 1739 John Pine (1690-1756) published ‘The Tapestry Hangings of the House of Lords’. It is arguably the finest quality engraved work produced in England. It celebrated the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Lord Howard of Effingham commissioned two different works in celebration. In 1590 Robert Adams produced a series of eleven copper plate engravings by Augustine Ryther showing the progress of the battle through the English Channel. The second work was a series of ten tapestries by the Dutchman Hendrik Cornelius Vroom. These eventually hung in the House of Lords until destroyed by a fire in 1834. It is these images which John Pine used in his work of 1739. The contents of the work vary, some examples bear two additional works both dated 1740. These are a map of Devon and Cornwall offered below and a map of the River Thames offered here. It is based on a Robert Adam’s original manuscript of 1588 now unfortunately lost to us. The title states that it was copied by Joseph Ames in 1738 and engraved by John Pine in 1740. It is orientated with the north at the bottom looking so-to-speak south in the direction of the Spanish threat. It displays the Thames from Tilbury to London. Various site readings are shown as are the defences in place particularly noted at the mouth of the Lee River at Gravesend and Tilbury. London is detailed with the only bridge at the time being London Bridge from Southwark to the City. The old St. Paul’s Church is also shown. The whole is decorated with an elaborate border. A decent example of a rare item. Almond ‘Maps of the Spanish Armada’ IMCoS Journal no. 109 pp. 7-13; Burgess ‘River Thames’ no. 9; Shirley (2004) G.Pin 1b no. 7; Schrire, Jonathan ‘Adams’ & Pine’s Maps of the Spanish Armada’, in Map Collector’s Circle no. 4.
PINE, John

Thamesis Descriptio Anno 1588

London, 1740
380 x 670 mm., in recent wash colour, the margins are trimmed slightly top and bottom but still good, otherwise a good example.
Stock number: 5430

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