Dorset: Map of Dorsetshyre by John Speed

Original copper engraving. Size: 51cm x 38cm. Early edition from John Speed’s ‘Theatre of the Empire of Britain’. Not dated but c.1620-1640. Engraved by Jodocus Hondius with an inset plan of Dorchester. Full title: ‘Dorsetshyre with the Shyre-towne Dorchester described, as also the Armes of such noble families as have bene honored with the Titles there of since the Normans conquest to this present. Anno 1610.’ Text in English to verso with page numbers 17-18. Dorsetshire spelt ‘Dorchester-Shire.’ Early hand-colouring. Old repairs to the margins on the verso with minor worm holes to the repairs, not affecting the plate surface. Age toning, mainly to the blank margins and minor creasing. Scarce in any form and a very good, complete, copy.