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Britannia,
Volume the First. or, an Illustration of the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales: By a Geographical and Historical Description of the Principal Roads thereof.
London,
Printed by the Author at his House in White-Fryers,
1675
First edition. Folio (412 by 265mm). Engraved frontispiece by Wenceslaus Hollar, letterpress title, 3 page dedication to Charles II, 5 page Preface, 3 page List of Post Roads, 8 page Introduction to the City of London, 4 page catalogue of the roads, folding general map of the British Isles, and 100 double-page engraved maps showing the roads of England and Wales, 200pp. text, 4 page Index table at end, paper strip covering earlier provenance pasted to upper margin of title, contemporary speckled calf, rebacked preserving original spine, panelled in gilt, morocco lettering-pieces.
12176
notes:
A fine, tall example of the first edition of Ogilby's famous road book; the first national road-atlas of any country, and a landmark in the mapping of England and Wales.
Ogilby's work was composed of maps of seventy-three major roads and cross-roads, presented in a continuous strip form, not unlike a modern satellite navigation system. For the first time in England, an atlas was prepared on a uniform scale, at one inch to a mile, based on the statute mile of 1760...
Ogilby's work was composed of maps of seventy-three major roads and cross-roads, presented in a continuous strip form, not unlike a modern satellite navigation system. For the first time in England, an atlas was prepared on a uniform scale, at one inch to a mile, based on the statute mile of 1760...
bibliography:
Chubb C; Lowndes 1719; Wing 0-168. (K.S. Eerde, 'John Ogilby and the Taste of his Times', 1976, p.137).
provenance:
Provenance
Charles Cooke, Turkey merchant (front free endpaper with his calligraphic gift inscription to): Thomas Williams. Charles Cooke (d. 1721) was a prominent member of the Levant company, MP for Grampound (1715-1721), Lord of Trade, Master of the Mercers Company, Sheriff of London, and Alderman; bookplate of Robert More (d.1780).
Charles Cooke, Turkey merchant (front free endpaper with his calligraphic gift inscription to): Thomas Williams. Charles Cooke (d. 1721) was a prominent member of the Levant company, MP for Grampound (1715-1721), Lord of Trade, Master of the Mercers Company, Sheriff of London, and Alderman; bookplate of Robert More (d.1780).
