This handsome map of Warwickshire was issued in Chirstopher Saxton's county atlas of England and Wales. It is widely considered to be the first national atlas in the world, and contains a total of 35 county maps. This example comes from the first edition published in 1579, with subsequent editions occurring up to 1772. Saxton's maps were countlessly copied over the next 200 years, and it wasn't until the Principal Triangulation of Great Britain beginning in 1784 did his maps become obsolete. Cartographically, the map is centered on Coventry and is filled with tiny towns, rivers, and forested areas. The map is further embellished with a strapwork cartouche surmounted by the coat of arms of Elizabeth I, an additional coat of arms to Thomas Seckford (Saxton's patron), and a distance scale with measuring dividers. Saxton's imprint appear below the distance scale. An important map for any British collection.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SAX-1a #22.

Condition: B

Original color with light soiling, two wormholes adjacent to the centerfold, and a few small centerfold separations. Remargined at bottom and the top right corner with a small portion of the border drawn in facsimile.