Staffordiae by Christopher Saxton, and William Kip

Code: 53781

Date 1610

  Long title: Staffordiae Comitatus Pars olim cornauiorum  Copper engraving with later hand colouring. Overall size : 41cms x 30cms.  Image size: 371mm x 267mm. Title in cartouche top right  and scale of distance surmounted by dividers bottom left; key to hundreds bottom right.  Paper watermarked with one small area of strengthening on verso.  Centrefold as published.  The map is trimmed to the neatline now augmented with period paper to enable mounting and framing.  Paper crease through scale of miles compass - C17th flaw-some darkness at bottom of map as is often the case with these maps and occasioned during the printing process.

This series of maps were the first in which each county was delineated on a separate sheet.  They were prepared by William Kip and William Hole and were mainly based on those of Christopher Saxton and Norden. The first issue of these maps was in 1607 with Latin text on the back of the maps and as the paper on which they are printed is rather thin, the lettering sometimes shows through on to the front of the map.  In the subsequent two editions of 1610 and 1637 the maps had no text on the back and plate numbers were added to many maps for the 1637 edition.  The maps were not issued again.  The layout , calligraphy and general appearance of these maps are very similar to their Saxton counterparts.  They were the first to carry the new Arms of James 1st with the unicorn replacing the dragon as a supporter.