‘NORTHUMBRIAE Comitatus olim sedes OTADINORUM’ (Northumberland) by Saxton / Hole c.1610

A very attractive early 17th Century map of Northumberland which was based on the first survey of England and Wales by Christopher Saxton, engraved by William Hole and published in William Camden’s Britannia* (London: 1607-1637). First published in 1607, this is the earliest printed map of the county which can be acquired at an ‘affordable’ price. This particular example comes from the 1610 edition which has neither text on the reverse nor a plate number in the bottom left border. *’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 27.2cms. The map is in very good condition with decent margins; centrefold, as issued. Click on image for better view. Click on ‘Delivery Policy’ for postage costs. Guaranteed to be over 400 years old.