This handsome large map is joined on two sheets and depicts Ireland in its entirety. Delineated by several political divisions, the map is densely filled with cities, towns, markets, barracks, forts, and even bogs. The network of roads includes distances from town to town based upon the work of Henry Pratt. Below the map is a series of 9 insets including plans of Dublin, Cork, Kinsale, and Limrick among others. Includes a dedication to Charles, Duke of Shrewsbury, who had recently been appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The imprints of John Bowles, Thomas Bowles, Philip Overton, and John King appear at lower right.

Herman Moll was one of Britain's most prominent cartographers of the first half of the 18th century. He emigrated from Germany and went to work as an engraver for Moses Pitt in 1678. Soon he joined one of London's most interesting social circles, which gathered at Jonathan's Coffee House, and included stock speculators, scientists, archaeologists, authors, pirates, and sea-captains. From these friends, Moll gained a great deal of privileged information that he compiled into his cartographic works. Moll's success and prosperity was due in part to his social connections and political astuteness, and to his distinctive style and quality workmanship. He produced a great number of often-innovative maps, charts, globes, atlases and geographies. His best known works are the large two-sheet maps like the present example that were produced for his World Described.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.MOLL-4b #18.

Condition: B

Professionally backed with heavy tissue to reinforce and repair a number of chips along both the upper and lower fold, resulting in some small areas of loss. Numerous edge chips have also been expertly repaired with portions of the border redrawn in facsimile. Light surface soiling.