A very attractive early 17th Century map of Buckinghamshire* — based on the first survey of the county by Christopher Saxton — which was engraved by William Hole and published in William Camden’s Britannia** (London: 1607-1637). As well as being the earliest map of Buckinghamshire at an ‘affordable’ price, it is also the first detailed one dedicated solely to the county. The original pages of text which accompanied the map are included in the purchase. *This particular example is from either the 1610 or 1637 edition as there is no text on the verso. Unlike most of the maps in the atlas, a plate number wasn’t inserted for the 1637 edition. **’Britannia’, first published in 1586, was one of the most popular and influential books of the period. The work of the Elizabethan antiquarian, William Camden (1551-1623), it was a detailed historical and topographical description of Great Britain. Its patriotic sentiments, in particular, both appealed to and generated the growing sense of nationalism that was coursing through late Tudor / early Stuart society. Between 1607 and 1637, county maps engraved by William Kip and William Hole, and based largely on Saxton’s surveys, were added. These maps have the distinction of being the first set to show each county individually as opposed to several being grouped together on one page. Camden’s Britannia continued to be published well into the 19th century; from 1695 to 1772, county maps by Robert Morden were used, and from 1789 to c.1815, those by the renowned John Cary. This is an original copperplate engraving with later hand colour. Printed area is approximately 29.5cms by 27cms. The map is in very good condition with excellent margins. Click on image for better view. Click on ‘Delivery Policy’ for postage costs. Guaranteed to be over 370 years old.