One of the Great Decorative Maps of Poland and the Earliest in English

SPEED, John.

Poland.  SPEED, J. [London, 1676] A Newe Mape of Poland Done into English by J. Speede.  15 ¾  x 20 ¼ inches.  Fine hand color with a strong impression; excellent condition.       

A fine example of one of the most beautiful and desirable, early maps of Poland; it is also the earliest map of the country in English. The map is framed by vignettes along three borders, with views of Krakow, Gdansk, Poznan, Crossen, Sandomierz and Breslau in the top border.  The side borders contain figures representing various strata of Polish society in characteristic dress, including Polish noblemen and women and various commoners. An unusual number of the figures are of Polish women: a “Bride of Dantsick,” a “Maide at Dantsick,” a “Silesian Woman,” and a “Silesian Bride.”  The arms of Silesia and Poland are also displayed. The map was published in the first English atlas of the world.

On the reverse side of the map is a lengthy text in English.  Its author struggles to explain the complexities of Poland’s politics, history and religious composition.  It treats at some depth the country’s resources, geographic characteristics and the nature of its economic life.  Perhaps most fascinating is long description of the national character of Poles that begins: “The Inhabitants, though they had but a wild beginning, yet in the more civil parts are of gentle behaviour to strangers, and not injurious one to the other.”  It goes on to describe the love of languages of the more learned classes and various other aspects of what the author deems typical mores and manners of the Polish people, noting in particular industriousness and martial courage.

John Speed was the preeminent English map publisher of the seventeenth century; his first works were county maps published in 1611.  His first world atlas was A Prospect of the World, in which this map first appeared in 1627.  The plates for the atlas passed through many hands in the 17th century, with the atlas reaching its final form in 1676 when it was published by Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell, with a number of important maps added for the first time. Speed's maps profited from the surveying expertise he acquired from Saxton and Norden, who brought triangulation to British surveying early in the century. 

Price: $3,000.00