Speed, John. AN EPITOME OF MR. JOHN SPEED'S THEATRE OF THE EMPIRE OF GREAT BRITAIN, AND OF HIS PROSPECT OF THE MOST FAMOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD. London: Printed for Tho. Basset, 1676. Oblong, 7" x 4.25", bound in 8s. Complete with 90 engraved maps (2 folding) plus additional engraved title; "Prospect" with separate title and pagination (dated 1675.) Collates A-Z8, Aa4; A-R8, S4 + engraved title and 2 folding maps inserted. Most maps are included in the pagination, as is the engraved "Catalogue of all the Shires." Period calf. ************ THE LAST EDITION AND THE FIRST (AND ONLY) EDITION CONTAINING THE MAPS OF VIRGINIA, NEW ENGLAND, JAMAICA, BARBADOS, CAROLINA, EAST INDIES, AND RUSSIA.

Binding separated from text-block, no endpapers, spine with chip to lower portion, a few leaves detached and signatures mostly loose, first and least few leaves with margins frayed and chipped (no loss of text), the two folding maps are torn and with some slight loss, text leaf P4 with corner-chip (no loss of text), some occasional light soiling, staining or foxing, two margins with early ink ownership signatures (Lord Heard?). Overall a good, "honest" example, exhibiting no signs of attempted repair or restoration (amateur or otherwise); this, in itself, is becoming a rarity.