It is believed that Herman Moll emigrated from Holland in the late 1680s and soon established himself as a geographer and engraver of note. Subsequently he made a move into publishing. The 'Daily Journal' of 31st July 1724 announced that 'this day is publish'd in folio 'A New Description of England and Wales". It contained 50 maps complete with descriptive text. It is considered his finest English work being noted for its depiction's of antiquities along the margins of each map. Also in 1724, Moll published the present work, although it is believed to have been issued later than the 'New Description'. The earliest issue of both works contain the maps without plate numbers. It was when the second work was issued, without text, that the need for numbers to aid binding, was created as here. The title describes how all the maps named in the index are present "expect two, composed and done by Herman Moll". These two are Stuckeley's map of Britannia and the map of Denbigh and Flint, both present here.