Late 17th Century Maps

Title: c. 1690 Frederick de Wit Sea Chart of Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, and Greenland - Engraved by Romeyn de Hooghe This striking sea chart by Frederick de Wit, titled "Septemtrionali...

This map, created by Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola in 1695, represents the "General Government of Guyenne and Gascony" in southwest France. Cantelli da Vignola was a renowned Italian c...

The image is an engraving titled “VEROVERINGE VAN RIO GRANDE IN BRASIL ANNO 1633.” This historical print depicts the Dutch conquest of Rio Grande in Brazil, known today as Natal, dur...

Antique map titled 'S. Imperium Romano-Germanicum oder Teutschland mit seinen angrantzenden Königreichen und Provincien'. Original antique map of Germany...

Antique map title 'Archiepiscopatus Coloniensis ducatibus Iuliacensi et Montensi (..)'. Original map of Cologne with the duchies of Jülich and Berg, Spa...

Antique map titled 'Parte meridionale degli Stati dell 'Elet di Colonia'. This map shows the course of the Rhine from Lahnstein to Rheinkassel and the area west to Aachen, Germany. W...

Antique map titled 'Tabulae dominii Groeningae quae et complecititur maximam partem Dreniae Emendata a F. de Wit'. Original antique map of the province of Groningen, the Netherlands....

Antique map titled 'The Continuation of the Road from London to Bristol (..)'. A strip map of the continuation of the road from London to Bristol, this particular sheet showing the r...

Antique map titled 'The Road from London to St. Davids in com: Pembroke (..)'. A strip map of the road from London to Bensington. The map is ornamented with numerous compass roses, a...

A large 17th century hand colored copperplate engraved map entitled "Novissima nec non Perfectissima Scandinaviae Tabula comprehendens Regnorum Sueciae, Daniae et Norvegiae distincte...

This large hand-colored map entitled "Estats de L'Empire des Turqs en Europe, ou sont les Beglerbeglicz our Gouvernements" was originally created by Nicholas Sanson d'Abbeville and t...

Antique print, titled: 'Dominii Frisiae Tabula, inter Flevum et Lavicum (…)' This large copper engraved map details the coastline of Friesland and Terschelling. At east is a part...

Antique print titled ‘Afbeeldinge van de Spaansche Bloedraad in den Jaare 1567 door den Hartog van Alva aangestelt’. The Duke of Alva and his entourage seated at a table planning...

Antique print, titled: 'Tabula Comitatus Frisiae …' Map of Friesland with the island Terschelling, Vlieland, Ameland en Schiermonnikoog. With a cartouche and a compass rose. Publ...

This large 17th century hand-colored map of Vienna, Austria and the surrounding countryside and villages entitled "Plan de la Ville de Vienne en Austrich...

The antique map titled 'Novissima et Accuratissima Archiepiscopatus et Electoratus Coloniensis Ducatuum Iuliancensis et Montensis et Meursiae Comitatus' is a handsome and detailed ma...

Antique map titled 'Tran-siselana'. Splendid detailed and decorative map of the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands by Vincenzo Coronelli. An elaborate title cartouche garlande...

Antique map titled 'Tabula Ducatus Brabantiae.' - Detailed map of the southern part of The Netherlands and the northern part of Belgium with Antwerp and Brussels. In the corner top l...

This large hand-colored map entitled "Le Royaume de Portugal et des Algarves Divisee en see Archeveches, Eveches et Territoires Par le Sr Sanson" was originally created by Nicholas S...

Antique map titled 'Pays et Coste des Caffres Empires de Monomotapa (..)'. Detailed map of South Africa. Engraved by Antoine d'Winter for a Dutch edition of Sanson's pocket atlas...

Antique map titled 'Holy Island, Staples and Barwick.' A map of the coast of Northumberland, England. This map includes Holy Island, Buckton, Sunderland and the Farne Islands. Th...

Antique map titled 'Tabula Geographica qui Pars Meridionalis sive Superior Rheni, Mosae et Mosellae (..).' Detailed map of the Rhine and Moselle River regions and contigous parts...

Antique map titled 'Russia cum Consinijs'.' Charming miniature map of Russia, from the pocket atlas 'Introductionis in Universam Geographiam tam Veterem quam novam .. Acessit P. ...

Antique map titled 'Delflandia, Schielandia et circumjacentes Insulae ut Voorna, Overflackea, Goerea, Yselmonda et aliae.' Detailed map of Southern Holland, which includes the ci...

Antique print, titled: 'Groningae et Omlandiae Dominium vulgo de Pronvicie van Stadt en Lande …' A map of the Dutch province Groningen. A small part of Germany is also shown (Emd...

Antique map titled 'Tabula Nova In qua accuratè demonstratur tota Navigatio ab Amstelodami Statione per Vada vulgo de Watten Hamburgum usq.' - Two maps with the Dutch and German North Sea coast of Friesland, with West Frisian Islands and below East Frisian Islands with inset map of the Elbe around Hamburg. With title and a scale cartouche. Map by Henricus Hondius...

Antique map titled ‘Caarte der Heerlyckheyt van Naters ende Pancras Gors’. Beautiful map of the region Naters and Pancrasgors, The Netherlands. This ma...

Antique map titled 'Ducatus Geldriae tetrachia Arnhemiensis sive Velavia'. Beautiful map of the region of Arnhem and the Veluwe region, Gelderland, t...

Antique map titled 'Cimbebas et Caffariae Littora a Catenbela ad Promontorium Bonae Spei'. This map depicts the coast of Angola, South-West Africa and South Africa up to Port Elizabeth...

Antique map titled 'Negapatam.' Bird's-eye plan of Nagapattinam or Negapatam, India. This map originates from 'Naauwkeurige Beschryvinge van Malabar en Choromandel…en het machtige ...

Antique map titled 'Comitatus Flandriae Tabula, in Lucem Edita'. Large map of Flanders, Belgium. Published by F. de Wit, circa 1680.

Antique map titled 'Tabula Comitatus Artesiae emendata'. Large map of the Artois region, France. Published by F. de Wit, circa 1680.

Scandinavia & Baltic Map – Antique by G. & L. Valk, incl. Sweden, Finland, 1700 Antique map titled 'Sueciae Magnae, totius orbis regni antiquissimi (..)' by Gerard and Leonard Valk....

This large original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of southern Greece and the Pelopponese Peninsula entitled "La Moree Et Les Isles De Zante, Cefalonie, Ste. Marie, Cerigo & C...

An original 17th century map entitled "Leodiensis Episcopatus in omnes Subjacentes Provincias distincté divisusVisscher, Leodiensis Episcopatus" by Nicolaes Visscher II, published in Amsterdam in 1688. The map is centered on Liege, Belgium, includes the area between Antwerp, Turnhout, Roermond, Cologne, Trier and Dinant. This attractive map is presented in a cream-colored mat measuring 30" wide x 27.5" high. There is a central fold, as issued. There is minimal spotting in the upper margin and a tiny spot in the right lower margin, which are under the mat. The map is otherwise in excellent condition. The Visscher family were one of the great cartographic families of the 17th century. Begun by Claes Jansz Visscher...

A charming late 17th century French map with a very decorative title cartouche showing trumpet-blowing cherubs, by Allain Manneson Mallet (1630-1706), a well traveled military engine...

Antique map titled 'Brabantiae Batavae Pars Occidentalis (..)'. Highly detailed map of the region between Bergen Op Zoom, Breda, Hoogstraten and Sandvliet, The Netherlands. Published...

Antique Map of Austria – “Circuli Austriaci pars Septentrionalis” by F. de Wit, c.1670 This finely engraved map, titled “Circuli Austriaci pars Septent...

Antique map titled 'Bavariae pars superior cum insertis et adjacentibus regionibus non solum in ejusdem ditiones generales (..). Original antique map of upper Bavaria from Regensburg...

A very detailed map of central Europe, centered on Germany. It extends from Belgium and The Netherlands through Pomerania in the north, and from eastern France to Croatia in the sout...

Antique map titled 'Regiae Celsitudinis Sabaudicae Status consistens in Sabaudiae ac Montisferrati Ducatus, Pedemontii Principatum (..). This map originates from 'Atlas Minor Sive Ge...

Antique map titled 'Vera totius marchionatus Badensis, et Hochbergensis ; ceterorumque ducatuum ladngravionatuum et comitatuum ad principes huius nominis spectantium geometr: astro: ...

Antique map covering the central part of Europe with Germany in the centre and the Netherlands in west. With one cartouche containing cherubs and coat of arms. Published in Amsterdam...

Antique Map: Friesland and Terschelling with Inset Isles, by Nicolaas Visscher II, 1670 This large copper-engraved map provides a detailed and visually stunning depiction of the coastline of Friesland and the island of Terschelling, along with portions of Groningen to the east. Originating from Nicolaas Visscher II’s *Germania Inferiorsive XVII Provinciarum Geographicae Generalis* (Kaert-Boeck van de XVII Nederlandtsche Provincien), this map was published in Amsterdam circa 1670. The map highlights the main cities of Friesland, beautifully accented in red, and includes a decorative inset in the lower-right corner, illustrating the smaller isles belonging to the province. The finely engraved details make this map a remarkable artifact of 17th-century cartography, with its coastline features rendered with precision and artistic flair. Adding to its charm, the map is adorned with elaborate decorative cartouches featuring putti (cherubs) and a coat of arms, hallmark elements of Nicolaas Visscher II’s cartographic artistry. Visscher was one of the most prominent Dutch mapmakers of the Golden Age of Cartography, known for his dedication to both geographical accuracy and artistic embellishment. His maps were highly sought after during his lifetime and remain prized by collectors today. Keywords: antique map Friesland, Terschelling map, Nicolaas Visscher II, 17th-century Dutch cartography, Groningen coastline map, decorative map cartouches, Germania Inferiorsive XVII Provinciarum, Kaert-Boeck Nederlandtsche Provincien, historical Dutch maps, rare collectible maps, Golden Age cartography. This map is a treasure for collectors of antique cartography...

This hand colored 17th century Dutch map entitled "Novissima et Accuratissima totius Italiae Corsicae et Sardiniae Descriptio" by Theodore Danckerts depicts the Italian Peninsula in ...

This is an antique county map of Northamptonshire. An English, framed atlas engraving by Richard Blome, dating to the 17th century and later. Fascinating cartography, oriented 90 d...

John Ogilby (British 1600-1676) Cosmographer and Geographick Printer to Charles II. A road map from Britannia, 1675/6. No 15. The continuation of the r...

The continuation of the road from London to St Davids, commencing at Abingdon Com Berks and extending to Monmouth By John Ogilby Esq, His Majesties Cosmographer. From Abingdon to Farringdon, to Lechlade, to Fairford, to Barnsley to Gloucester showing Monmouth as the destination. A road map from Britannia, 1675/6. No 15. Hand coloured and floated on a cream mount within a brown painted and gilded ogee frame. Some foxing and creasing, uneven edge of sheet, all commensurate with age Provenance : purchased as pair from a collector with no 25 London to Lands End. Framed as a pair. Sheet width 46.5cm., 18 ¼ ”., height 37.5cm., 14 ¾ “ Frame width 66.5cm., 26”., height 56cm., 22 ” In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started in his sixty-sixth year, as a publisher of maps and geographical accounts. Ogilby was born outside Dundee, in 1600, the son of a Scottish gentleman. While he was still a child, the family moved to London. When the elder Ogilby was imprisoned for debt, the young John invested his savings in a lottery, won a minor prize, and settled his father's debts. Unfortunately, not enough money was left to secure John a good apprenticeship; instead, he was apprenticed to a dance master. Ogilby was soon dancing in masques at court but, one day, while executing a particularly ambitious leap, he landed badly. The accident left him with a permanent limp, and ended his dancing career. However, he had come to the attention of Thomas Wentworth, later Earl of Strafford, Charles I's most senior minister. Ever one to exploit his contacts, Ogilby became a dance instructor in Strafford's household. When Strafford was sent to Ireland, Ogilby accompanied him as Deputy-Master of the Kings Revels, and then Master of Revels. In Dublin, he built the New Theatre, in St. Werburgh Street, which prospered at first, but the Irish Rebellion, in 1641, cost Ogilby his fortune, which he estimated at £2,000, and almost his life. After brief service as a soldier, he returned to England, survived shipwreck on the way, and arrived back penniless. On his return, Ogilby turned his attention to the Latin classics, as a translator and publisher. His first faltering attempt, in 1649, was a translation of the works of Virgil, but after his marriage to a wealthy widow the same year, his publishing activities received a considerable boost. One means by which Ogilby financed these volumes was by subscription, securing advance payments from his patrons, in return for including their name and coats-of-arms on the plates of illustrations. Another approach was to secure a patron, preferably in the court circle. Ogilby's first patron was Strafford, who found out too late that all leading ministers are dispensable when Charles I assented to his execution in 1641. As he re-established himself, Ogilby sought a new patron, the King himself. In 1661, Ogilby was approached to write poetry for Charles II's coronation procession; he later published 'The Relation of His Majesties Entertainment Passing Through the City of London', and a much enlarged edition the following year, which included a fine set of plates depicting the procession. Royal favour was bestowed in 1674 when John Ogilby received the title of 'His Majesty's Cosmographer and Geographick Printer' with a salary of £13.6s.8d per annum. In 1665, Ogilby left London to avoid the Plague then ravaging the capital. The following year, in the Great Fire of London, Ogilby claimed that he lost his entire stock of books valued at some £3,000, as well as his shop and house, leaving him worth just £5. As he sought to restore his fortunes, Ogilby was already looking in new directions. The initial opportunity he seized on was the reconstruction of London's burnt-out centre. He secured appointment as a "sworn viewer", whose duty was to establish the property boundaries as they existed before the Fire. Ogilby was assisted in the project by his step-grandson, William Morgan...

The Road from London to Yarmouth com. Norfolk. By John Ogilby, His Majesties Cosmographer. Containing 122 miles, 5 furlongs. No 54. From Standard in Co...

This hand-colored sea chart is entitled "Edinburgh Firth" from "Great Britain's Coasting Pilot. Being a New and Exact Survey of the Sea-Coast of England" by Captain Greenville Collin...

This hand-colored sea chart of the area around Dartmouth, England is from "Great Britain's Coasting Pilot. Being a New and Exact Survey of the Sea-Coast of England", first published ...

"Rupes Allobrogum vulgo La Roche" by Dutch engraver Coenraet Decker (1650-1685) is from the atlas Theatrum Statuum Regiae Celestudinis Sabaudiae Ducis, published in 1682. This richly...

A road map from Britannia, by John Ogilby Esq., Cosmographer and Geographick Printer to Charles II. Containing 293 miles. No 32. From Standard in Cornhill London to Andover thence to Amesbury, to Shruton, to Warminster, to Maiden-Bradley, to Bruton, to Weston, to Ascot and to Bridgewater Hand coloured, some foxing and creasing, commensurate with age. Floated in a cream mount with a gilded linear border within a burr walnut, ebonised and gilded frame. Provenance : purchased as pair from a collector with no 15 London to St Davids. Framed as a pair. Measures: Black Linear Border around Map Length 44cm., 17 1/8" Height 36cm., 14". Full Sheet Length 51cm., 20" Height 39cm., 15 1/4" Frame Length 62cm., 24 1/2 " Height 52cm., 20 1/2" Literature: In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started in his sixty-sixth year, as a publisher of maps and geographical accounts. Ogilby was born outside Dundee, in 1600, the son of a Scottish gentleman. While he was still a child, the family moved to London. When the elder Ogilby was imprisoned for debt, the young John invested his savings in a lottery, won a minor prize, and settled his father's debts. Unfortunately, not enough money was left to secure John a good apprenticeship; instead, he was apprenticed to a dance master. Ogilby was soon dancing in masques at court but, one day, while executing a particularly ambitious leap, he landed badly. The accident left him with a permanent limp, and ended his dancing career. However, he had come to the attention of Thomas Wentworth, later Earl of Strafford, Charles I's most senior minister. Ever one to exploit his contacts, Ogilby became a dance instructor in Strafford's household. When Strafford was sent to Ireland, Ogilby accompanied him as Deputy-Master of the Kings Revels, and then Master of Revels. In Dublin, he built the New Theatre, in St. Werburgh Street, which prospered at first, but the Irish Rebellion, in 1641, cost Ogilby his fortune, which he estimated at £2,000, and almost his life. After brief service as a soldier, he returned to England, survived shipwreck on the way, and arrived back penniless. On his return, Ogilby turned his attention to the Latin classics, as a translator and publisher. His first faltering attempt, in 1649, was a translation of the works of Virgil, but after his marriage to a wealthy widow the same year, his publishing activities received a considerable boost. One means by which Ogilby financed these volumes was by subscription, securing advance payments from his patrons, in return for including their name and coats-of-arms on the plates of illustrations. Another approach was to secure a patron, preferably in the court circle. Ogilby's first patron was Strafford, who found out too late that all leading ministers are dispensable when Charles I assented to his execution in 1641. As he re-established himself, Ogilby sought a new patron, the King himself. In 1661, Ogilby was approached to write poetry for Charles II's coronation procession; he later published 'The Relation of His Majesties Entertainment Passing Through the City of London', and a much enlarged edition the following year, which included a Fine set of plates depicting the procession. Royal favour was bestowed in 1674 when John Ogilby received the title of 'His Majesty's Cosmographer and Geographick Printer' with a salary of £13.6s.8d per annum. In 1665, Ogilby left London to avoid the Plague then ravaging the capital. The following year, in the Great Fire of London, Ogilby claimed that he lost his entire stock of books valued at some £3,000, as well as his shop and house, leaving him worth just £5. As he sought to restore his fortunes, Ogilby was already looking in new directions. The initial opportunity he seized on was the reconstruction of London's burnt-out centre. He secured appointment as a 'sworn viewer', whose duty was to establish the property boundaries as they existed before the Fire. Ogilby was assisted in the project by his step-grandson, William Morgan...

The road from London to the lands end. Commencing at the Standard in Cornhill and extending to Senan in Cornwall. By John Ogilby His Majesties Cosmographer. A road map from Britannia, 1675/6. No 25. Continuing 308 miles, 3 furlongs. London Southwark to Brentford, to Hampton Court, to Hounslow, to Windsor, to Cobham, to Farnham, to Basingstoke to Winchester The handcoloured sheet free floated. In a brown painted and gilded, ogee moulded frame. Some foxing and creasing, uneven edge of sheet, all commensurate with age Provenance : purchased as pair from a collector with no 15 London to St David's. Framed as a pair. Sheet width 48cm., 19 ”., height 38cm., 15 “ Frame width 66.5cm., 26”., height 56cm., 22 ” In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started i Black Linear Border around Map Length 44cm., 17 1/8" Height 32cm., 12 1/2" Full Sheet Length 58cm., 22 3/4" Height 38cm., 15" Frame Length 66cm., 26"., Height 56cm., 22" In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started in his sixty-sixth year, as a publisher of maps and geographical accounts. Ogilby was born outside Dundee, in 1600, the son of a Scottish gentleman. While he was still a child, the family moved to London. When the elder Ogilby was imprisoned for debt, the young John invested his savings in a lottery, won a minor prize, and settled his father's debts. Unfortunately, not enough money was left to secure John a good apprenticeship; instead, he was apprenticed to a dance master. Ogilby was soon dancing in masques at court but, one day, while executing a particularly ambitious leap, he landed badly. The accident left him with a permanent limp, and ended his dancing career. However, he had come to the attention of Thomas Wentworth, later Earl of Strafford, Charles I's most senior minister. Ever one to exploit his contacts, Ogilby became a dance instructor in Strafford's household. When Strafford was sent to Ireland, Ogilby accompanied him as Deputy-Master of the Kings Revels, and then Master of Revels. In Dublin, he built the New Theatre, in St. Werburgh Street, which prospered at first, but the Irish Rebellion, in 1641, cost Ogilby his fortune, which he estimated at £2,000, and almost his life. After brief service as a soldier, he returned to England, survived shipwreck on the way, and arrived back penniless. On his return, Ogilby turned his attention to the Latin classics, as a translator and publisher. His first faltering attempt, in 1649, was a translation of the works of Virgil, but after his marriage to a wealthy widow the same year, his publishing activities received a considerable boost. One means by which Ogilby financed these volumes was by subscription, securing advance payments from his patrons, in return for including their name and coats-of-arms on the plates of illustrations. Another approach was to secure a patron, preferably in the court circle. Ogilby's first patron was Strafford, who found out too late that all leading ministers are dispensable when Charles I assented to his execution in 1641. As he re-established himself, Ogilby sought a new patron, the King himself. In 1661, Ogilby was approached to write poetry for Charles II's coronation procession; he later published 'The Relation of His Majesties Entertainment Passing Through the City of London', and a much enlarged edition the following year, which included a fine set of plates depicting the procession. Royal favour was bestowed in 1674 when John Ogilby received the title of 'His Majesty's Cosmographer and Geographick Printer' with a salary of £13.6s.8d per annum. In 1665, Ogilby left London to avoid the Plague then ravaging the capital. The following year, in the Great Fire of London, Ogilby claimed that he lost his entire stock of books valued at some £3,000, as well as his shop and house, leaving him worth just £5. As he sought to restore his fortunes, Ogilby was already looking in new directions. The initial opportunity he seized on was the reconstruction of London's burnt-out centre. He secured appointment as a "sworn viewer", whose duty was to establish the property boundaries as they existed before the Fire. Ogilby was assisted in the project by his step-grandson, William Morgan...

The Road from Ipswich com Suffolk to Norwich and thence to cromer on the sea coast com Norfolk. By John Ogilby, Esq, His Majesties Cosmographer. Containing...

John Ogilby (British 1600-1676) cosmographer and geographick printer to Charles II. A road map from Britannia, 1675/6. No 5, The road from London to Barwick: London to Stilton In a grey painted and gilded frame. In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started in his sixty-sixth year, as a publisher of maps and geographical accounts. Ogilby was born outside Dundee, in 1600, the son of a Scottish gentleman. While he was still a child, the family moved to London. When the elder Ogilby was imprisoned for debt, the young John invested his savings in a lottery, won a minor prize, and settled his father's debts. Unfortunately, not enough money was left to secure John a good apprenticeship; instead, he was apprenticed to a dance master. Ogilby was soon dancing in masques at court but, one day, while executing a particularly ambitious leap, he landed badly. The accident left him with a permanent limp, and ended his dancing career. However, he had come to the attention of Thomas Wentworth, later Earl of Strafford, Charles I's most senior minister. Ever one to exploit his contacts, Ogilby became a dance instructor in Strafford's household. When Strafford was sent to Ireland, Ogilby accompanied him as Deputy-Master of the Kings Revels, and then Master of Revels. In Dublin, he built the New Theatre, in St. Werburgh Street, which prospered at first, but the Irish Rebellion, in 1641, cost Ogilby his fortune, which he estimated at £2,000, and almost his life. After brief service as a soldier, he returned to England, survived shipwreck on the way, and arrived back penniless. On his return, Ogilby turned his attention to the Latin classics, as a translator and publisher. His first faltering attempt, in 1649, was a translation of the works of Virgil, but after his marriage to a wealthy widow the same year, his publishing activities received a considerable boost. One means by which Ogilby financed these volumes was by subscription, securing advance payments from his patrons, in return for including their name and coats-of-arms on the plates of illustrations. Another approach was to secure a patron, preferably in the court circle. Ogilby's first patron was Strafford, who found out too late that all leading ministers are dispensable when Charles I assented to his execution in 1641. As he re-established himself, Ogilby sought a new patron, the King himself. In 1661, Ogilby was approached to write poetry for Charles II's coronation procession; he later published 'The Relation of His Majesties Entertainment Passing Through the City of London', and a much enlarged edition the following year, which included a Fine set of plates depicting the procession. Royal favour was bestowed in 1674 when John Ogilby received the title of 'His Majesty's Cosmographer and Geographick Printer' with a salary of £13.6s.8d per annum. In 1665, Ogilby left London to avoid the Plague then ravaging the capital. The following year, in the Great Fire of London, Ogilby claimed that he lost his entire stock of books valued at some £3,000, as well as his shop and house, leaving him worth just £5. As he sought to restore his fortunes, Ogilby was already looking in new directions. The initial opportunity he seized on was the reconstruction of London's burnt-out centre. He secured appointment as a "sworn viewer", whose duty was to establish the property boundaries as they existed before the Fire. Ogilby was assisted in the project by his step-grandson, William Morgan, and by a number of professional surveyors. The result was an outstanding plan of London, on a scale of 100 feet to an inch, on 20 sheets, although it was not printed until after Ogilby's death. Ogilby then turned his attention to publishing geographical descriptions of the wider-world. In 1667, he issued 'An Embassy from the East India Company of the United Provinces to the Grand Tartar Cham, Emperor of China.' Buoyed by the response to this volume, Ogilby conceived an ambitious project, a multi-volume description of the world. The volumes were joint collaborations, in conjunction with the Dutch publisher Jacob van Meurs. 'Africa', published in 1670, was the least original of the three, both in terms of the text, maps and illustrations. In a similar vein, he issued the 'Atlas Japannensis' (1670), the 'Atlas Chinensis' (1671), and 'Asia' (1673). In 1671, Ogilby published the 'America', translated from Arnold Montanus' Dutch text. The 'America' is certainly the most original, and most important, of Ogilby's various geographical volumes, and its influence and popularity was immediate. With its completion, Ogilby turned to a project nearer his heart, the description of Britain. Ogilby originally intended to devote one volume to Britain, but as the project evolved, he became more ambitious, as revealed in a prospectus issued in about 1672: "This having oblig'd our Author to take new Measures ... to compleat within the space of two Years a Work ... considering the Actual survey of the Kingdom, the Delineation and Dimensuration of the Roads, the Prospects and Ground plots of Cities, with other Ornamentals ... into six fair volumes. The Four first comprehending the historical and geographical description of England, with the County-Maps truly and actually survey'd. ... The fifth containing an Ichnographical and Historical Description of all the Principal Road-ways in England and Wales, in two hundred copper sculptures, after a new and exquisite method. The sixth containing a New and Accurate Description of the famous City of London, with the perfect Ichnography thereof ..." In the proposals, Ogilby emphasised the scale of the undertaking; no-one before him had attempted such a vast project. He estimated the total costs would be £20,000, a staggering amount. The cost of the complete set of six volumes was to be £34. At that time, Wenceslas Hollar...

The continuation of the road from London to Barwick beginning at York and extending to Chester in ye Street. Plate ye 4th continuing 76 ½ miles. No 8. York to Burrowbridge, to Top...

John Ogilby (British 1600-1676) Cosmographer and Geographick Printer to Charles II. A road map from Britannia, 1675/6. The road from London to Kings Lynn, showing Royston to Downham. In oak and gilded frame. In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started in his sixty-sixth year, as a publisher of maps and geographical accounts. Ogilby was born outside Dundee, in 1600, the son of a Scottish gentleman...

The Road from Kings Lyn Co Norfolk to Harwich Co Essex. By John Ogilby His Majesties Cosmographer. Containing 76 miles, 1 furlong. From Lyn to Swaffam, to Stanford, to Thetford, To Icksworth, to Stowmarket, to Ipswich and to Harwich including ye Ferry, No 75, inscribed in pencil 1698 Hand colored and floated in the original black and gold frame, c1961. Some creasing commensurate with age. The back of the frame inscribed May 1961. Provenance : Private Collection, acquired c1961, along with No 74 Ipswich to Norwich & No 54 London to Yarmouth. All in the original black and gold frames. Sheet width 45cm., 17 ¾”., height 34.5cm., 13 ½“ Frame width 50cm 19 ¾”., height 40cm., 15 ¾” Literature: In a remarkable life John Ogilby pursued, several careers, each ending in misfortune, and yet he always emerged undeterred, to carry on. His modern reputation is based on his final career, started in his sixty-sixth year, as a publisher of maps and geographical accounts. Ogilby was born outside Dundee, in 1600, the son of a Scottish gentleman. While he was still a child, the family moved to London. When the elder Ogilby was imprisoned for debt, the young John invested his savings in a lottery, won a minor prize, and settled his father's debts. Unfortunately, not enough money was left to secure John a good apprenticeship; instead, he was apprenticed to a dance master. Ogilby was soon dancing in masques at court but, one day, while executing a particularly ambitious leap, he landed badly. The accident left him with a permanent limp, and ended his dancing career. However, he had come to the attention of Thomas Wentworth, later Earl of Strafford, Charles I's most senior minister. Ever one to exploit his contacts, Ogilby became a dance instructor in Strafford's household. When Strafford was sent to Ireland, Ogilby accompanied him as Deputy-Master of the Kings Revels, and then Master of Revels. In Dublin, he built the New Theatre, in St. Werburgh Street, which prospered at first, but the Irish Rebellion, in 1641, cost Ogilby his fortune, which he estimated at £2,000, and almost his life. After brief service as a soldier, he returned to England, survived shipwreck on the way, and arrived back penniless. On his return, Ogilby turned his attention to the Latin classics, as a translator and publisher. His first faltering attempt, in 1649, was a translation of the works of Virgil, but after his marriage to a wealthy widow the same year, his publishing activities received a considerable boost. One means by which Ogilby financed these volumes was by subscription, securing advance payments from his patrons, in return for including their name and coats-of-arms on the plates of illustrations. Another approach was to secure a patron, preferably in the court circle. Ogilby's first patron was Strafford, who found out too late that all leading ministers are dispensable when Charles I assented to his execution in 1641. As he re-established himself, Ogilby sought a new patron, the King himself. In 1661, Ogilby was approached to write poetry for Charles II's coronation procession; he later published 'The Relation of His Majesties Entertainment Passing Through the City of London', and a much enlarged edition the following year, which included a Fine set of plates depicting the procession. Royal favour was bestowed in 1674 when John Ogilby received the title of 'His Majesty's Cosmographer and Geographick Printer' with a salary of £13.6s.8d per annum. In 1665, Ogilby left London to avoid the Plague then ravaging the capital. The following year, in the Great Fire of London, Ogilby claimed that he lost his entire stock of books valued at some £3,000, as well as his shop and house, leaving him worth just £5. As he sought to restore his fortunes, Ogilby was already looking in new directions. The initial opportunity he seized on was the reconstruction of London's burnt-out centre. He secured appointment as a 'sworn viewer', whose duty was to establish the property boundaries as they existed before the Fire. Ogilby was assisted in the project by his step-grandson, William Morgan...