Blome “… originally a Ruler of Paper, and now a Scibbler of Books” (Anthony Wood in Athenae Oxonienses, II, 298), is generally thought to have begun with a career as a heraldic painter, developing an expertise in arms-painting for funerals and other solemn occasions. The access that this business gave him to potentially wealthy patrons led to the genesis of an idea for an atlas in which each map would include a dedication to, and the arms of, individual patrons. The project would be additionally underwritten by subscription, which was a relatively novel strategy for the time. Blome required a partial payment upfront with the balance due after publication. Conceived as early as 1663, it was not until 1669 that Blome received a royal privilege of patent protection. Winning the favour of Charles II, the newly-restored king, secured subscriptions for more than eight hundred copies of Blome’s atlas, and ensured that his subsequent maps, books, prints and playing cards enjoyed a wide circulation throughout England and Europe.