Catalog Archive
Auction 160, Lot 464

Speed's Carte-a-Figures Map of Modern Europe

"Europ, and the Cheife Cities Contayned Therin, Described; with the Habits of Most Kingdoms Now in Use", Speed, John

Subject: Europe

Period: 1626 (dated)

Publication: A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World

Color: Hand Color

Size:
20.3 x 15.6 inches
51.6 x 39.6 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This is one of the most beautiful carte-a-figure maps of Europe, surrounded with vignettes on three sides. The upper frieze has eight bird's-eye views of London, Paris, Rome, Constantinople, Venice, Prague, Amsterdam and Lisbon. The side borders contain the costumes of the noblemen and women of ten European nations. The map shows the well-detailed but fictitious island of Frisland just off the coast of Iceland, and the seas are alive with sea monsters and ships. Beautifully engraved by Abraham Goos and published by Roger Rea circa 1662. Related English text on verso.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-2d.

Condition: B+

Watermarked paper with minor soiling, light show-through of text on verso, and a few printer's creases in the vignettes at top. There are professionally repaired centerfold separations that enter image less than 1/2" at top and 3" at bottom.

Estimate: $2,750 - $3,500

Sold for: $2,000

Closed on 11/16/2016

Archived