Northern Wales. John Speed, Denbighshire, from The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, 1610 (dated). Hand Color. This fine map of the historic county of Denbighshire was engraved by Jodocus Hondius. It is fully decorated with three large strapwork cartouches and the coats of arms for the Union of the Crowns, Wales, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, and William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh. An inset at top right depicts Denbigh with a key identifying 14 places of interest and a view of the castle. In the sea there is a sailing ship, a sea monster, and Neptune riding a sea-horse. English text on verso, with the imprint of John Sudbury and George Humble.

John Speed is best known for this important atlas of Great Britain, which is considered the finest achievement in British map-making. Speed assembled the information for this atlas based on the work of Christopher Saxton and John Norden, updated with new information. He also introduced innovations of his own including the inclusion of town plans, indications of the hundreds, county boundaries, and the coats of arms of local Earls and Dukes. The maps were finely engraved by Jodocus Hondius, one of the preeminent engravers of the period.

A nice impression on a bright sheet with light toning along the edges of the sheet. There are professional repairs to a centerfold separation at bottom and a tear along the platemark at bottom. The left margin has also been professionally extended to accommodate framing. Grade: A

14.9 x 20.1 in