‘OXONIENSIS Comitatus vulgo Oxfordshyre…’ by Saxton / Hole c.1637

A detailed and decorative early 17th Century map of Oxfordshire which was based on the first survey of the county by Christopher Saxton, engraved by William Hole and published in William Camden’s Britannia* (London: 1607-1637). First issued in 1607, this is the earliest printed map of the county which can be obtained at an ‘affordable’ price. This particular example comes from the 1637 edition which had the plate number ’13’ added to 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 29cms by 27.3cms. The map is in very good condition with unusually decent margins. There is a minor stain in the top of the central fold and a repaired split in the middle right border. Click on image for better view. Click on ‘Delivery Policy’ for Postage costs. Guaranteed to be over 375 years old.