This striking map of Oxfordshire was issued in Blome's Britannia: Or, A Geographical Description of the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Shirley describes the maps in this work as "based on those by John Speed but reduced in size." It divides the county into hundreds and names several towns and cities. There is nice topographical detail of rivers, hills, parks, woodlands, and more. The dedicatory cartouche at bottom honors Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys of Rycote and includes an elaborate coat of arms. The map is further adorned with a strapwork title cartouche and a scale of miles.

Richard Blome was one of the most interesting, and most active, publishers of illustrated books in post-Restoration London. He is most renowned for what his contemporaries considered the plagiarism of the maps in the Britannia from Camden and Speed. In actuality Blome did not claim that the maps were original works, and the atlas filled an important gap in the market. In the preface he wrote, "I do not own myself the Author, but the Undertaker of this work". He was one of the most active publishers of illustrated books in post-Restoration London and his career provides in insight into the nature and activities of the London map and print trade of the period. There is an excellent biography on MapForum.com.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.BLOM-2a.

Condition: B+

Backed in linen with light soiling and scattered foxing.