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Speed’s map of Durham
By SPEED, John, 1627
The Bishopric and Citie of Durham
- Author: SPEED, John
- Publication place: [London]
- Publication date: 1627
- Physical description: Engraved map with hand colouring.
- Dimensions: 380 by 505mm. (15 by 20 inches).
- Inventory reference: 11765
Notes
A beautifully coloured map of County Durham, with an inset of the city of Durham and a tableau and text cartouche explaining the battle of Neville’s Croft in 1346, when David II of Scotland was prevented from advancing into England.
John Speed (1552–1629) was the outstanding cartographer of his age. His ‘Theatre of Great Britain’ was the first atlas of the British Isles: Speed prepared the maps himself about two years before they were published. His maps and books dominated the seventeenth-century English market. The present map is taken from the 1627 English edition published by George Humble.
John Speed (1552–1629) was the outstanding cartographer of his age. His ‘Theatre of Great Britain’ was the first atlas of the British Isles: Speed prepared the maps himself about two years before they were published. His maps and books dominated the seventeenth-century English market. The present map is taken from the 1627 English edition published by George Humble.
Bibliography
- Chubb XXV.
- Chubb, T., Skells, J. and Beharrell, H. (1977). The printed maps in the atlases of Great Britain and Ireland. Folkestone: Dawson.
Biography
John Speed (1551/2–1629)
John Speed is perhaps the most famous single figure in the early history of the English map trade. He was a member of the Merchant Taylors’ Company, made free in September 1580, and later Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. By training he was probably a rolling-press printer, but by interest he was a historian, and Queen Elizabeth granted him a sinecure in the Customs House, to give him the opportunity to pursue these interests.
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