Britannia Depicta Or Ogilby Improv'd was the most popular and successful Ogilby derivative atlas, published in response to public demand for a small road atlas that could be easily carried by travelers. The atlas reproduced Ogilby's strip-style road maps and added individual county maps. It was published by Thomas Bowles in a series of editions between 1720 and 1764. The historical notes that accompany each map were compiled by John Owen, a respected lawyer and antiquarian. The maps were engraved by Emanuel Bowen who went on to become one of London's leading engravers and print sellers in the 18th century. The maps are embellished with coats of arms and contain immense detail and topographical information. A compass rose orients each map and useful landmarks include hills, bridges, rivers and streams, windmills, churches, markets, parks and forests, water wells and even gallows.

These copper engraved, Ogilby-style strip road maps include coats-of-arms and descriptive text by John Owen. The first, The Roads from London to Boston &c. Comencing at Stilton..., features an elaborate title cartouche and an excerpt of Owen's text about London. The map appears on verso, extending from Stilton in Cambridgeshire to Spalding in Lincolnshire, passing through Peterborough. The second two sheets depict the road from Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire to Carlisle in Cumbria, and passing through Warrington, Preston, Lancaster and Kendal.

A. [The Roads from London to Boston &c. Comencing at Stilton...]
B. [The Road from London to Carlisle... // A Map of Staffordshire]
C. [The Road from London to Carlisle... // A Map of Staffordshire]

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.BOW-1a.

Condition: B+

Light toning with minor soiling. The second sheet has a small hole near center and the third sheet has a chip at bottom left.