Philip Lea's edition of Saxton's map of Norfolk.

Philip Lea (fl.1666-1700) was a cartographer, globe, instrument maker and mapseller. His atlases were rarely uniform usually being made to order and his editions of Saxton's atlas are similarly varying in content, although built around his stock of the original plates. These he acquired sometime around 1689, but from who is unknown. After acquisition Lea set about updating them for publication. This process involved extensive re-engraving of the old plates by incorporating new geographical and decorative material. However during this process some copies of the atlas were sold and two distinct issues have been identified with two different versions of the title page. The early edition dated c.1689 survives in just three known examples. Lea gradually effected the alterations to the plates he desired which included converting the remaining Latin titles to English, the addition of crowns, crosses and mitres to represent various categories of town. Roads were added to the maps following the publication of John Ogilby's landmark 'Britannia' in 1675. Similarly Hundreds were added to the remaining maps as were town plans. The finished set of plates was complete by 1693 and represents their final cartographic form as only the imprints were altered after this date.

The present example is from the 1693 Lea edition, with the title altered to 'Norfolk Described by C: Saxton. Corrected and Amended with many Additions of Roads &c. by P: Lea', roads now illustrated, and the arms of "Hen. How. Du." added to the row of arms at the top of the map. The date "1665", which had been visible in the 1689 Lea edition, is, now, no longer visible.