John Ogilby's 'Britannia' was published between 1675 and 1698. It is a landmark in the mapping of England and Wales. Its unique format constituted the first national road-atlas of any country in Western Europe. It was composed of maps of seventy-three major roads and cross-roads, presented in a continuous strip-form, on a uniform scale of one inch to a mile. Each beautiful map includes wonderful detail of the countryside with each strip containing a large compass rose to indicate changes in direction.

This attractive strip-style map is the first of two covering the road from London to Flamborough Head, showing the route from Temsford to Lincoln, through Eaton, Stilton, Peterborow, and Steeford. It is in the pictorial style pioneered by Ogilby with the road laid out in several ribbon-like panels. The road detailed is 76 miles long (milepost 52 to 128). Several windmills are shown along the route. Each of the seven panels has a decorative compass rose to orient the traveler. The strapwork title cartouche features the royal coat of arms.

References: Moorland & Bannister, pp. 157-8; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.OGIL-4a #41.

Condition: B+

Watermarked paper with light soiling.