"Caermarden Both Shyre and Towne Described", Speed, John
Subject: Southwestern Wales
Period: 1662 (dated)
Publication: The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine
Color: Hand Color
Size:
20 x 15.1 inches
50.8 x 38.4 cm
This is a classic decorative county map from John Speed’s important English atlas. Besides presenting the most up-to-date information in his maps, Speed also included detailed city plans; in this instance of the town of Carmarthen. This plan shows St. Peter's Church, the largest parish church in Wales, as well as the River Towy with two ships sailing through. The map is decorated with the royal coat of arms, the coat of arms of Llywelyn the Great, a compass rose, and a distance scale. Imprint of "Roger Rea ye Elder and younger at ye Golden Crosse in Cornhill against ye Exchange." Engraved by Jodocus Hondius.
References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-1h.
Condition: B
A nice impression on watermarked paper that has been backed in archival tissue to repair a series of tears around the centerfold in the bottom half of the map, with a couple tiny areas of image loss. There is minor soiling and marginal toning.