WORCESTERSHIR
by Pieter Van den Keere
From "England Wales Scotland and Ireland Described by John Speed and abridged
with ye historie relation of things worthy memory from a farr larger volume done by John Speed"
Published London circa 1650
A copper engraved county map of Worcestershire with title and scale of miles displayed in strapwork cartouches.
A crisp dark impression on robust hand laid paper, enhanced with attractive later hand colouring.
An excellent example of the so called "Miniature Speeds" from a pocket edition of Speed's atlas.
The name is misleading as the maps were actually by Pieter Van Den Keere, although the text was by Speed.
The upper margin has been reinstated where trimmed into the border, with a short section of border line replaced in manuscript.
Some minor worm damage has been reinforced verso.
The map would still frame up very well for display however and the faults are amply reflected in the low price.
Faint bleed-through of the unrelated English text verso as commonly seen.
Approx. 5" x 3.5" (120mm x 85mm) map area only with margins beyond.
Pieter Van den Keere (c1570- 1646)
Also known as Peter Keere or Petrus Kaerius, he was a Dutchman who took up residence in London in 1584.
Already well connected with the cartographic world, (his sister was married to Jodocus Hondius),
he became a prominent engraver for many leading cartographers of his day as well as producing atlases and maps in his own right.
The miniature Speeds were originally published by George Humble who also published the John Speed atlas, hence his access to the famous (and highly marketable) name.
T471119
