Salopiae (Shropshire) by Christopher Saxton and William Hole

Code: 54091

Date: 1610

Salopiae comitatus quem cornauii olim incoluerunt defcriptio.   Copper engraving with later hand colour.. Overall size : 37.8cms x 31.4cms ; Image size : 334mm x 273mm.  Title in cartouche, compass rose, scale of distance surmounted by dividers. Watermarked paper of a crown with a raven within. Centre fold as published. This is the earliest printed map of  Shropshire depicted on its own (it was part of a group of counties in Saxton’s map) and was engraved by William Hole who is one of the earliest English map engravers. Very good condition indeed.

 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.  See Skelton, County Atlases Of The British Isles 6.