Angliae Totius Tabula Cum Distantii Notioribus In Itinerantium
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Adams' great 1677 wall-map of England and Wales. Little is known of Adams, whose cartographic production seems limited to this work, but it is known that this map's creation was prompted by an examination of the proximity of market towns to London and market sources around the country. As such, it must be regarded as one of the first commercial thematic maps to be produced. Adams' map was a "straight-line" distance map with parallel lines linking neighbouring towns and villages with their computed distances from each other. Despite the apparent uselessness of such data, at a time when travel was on foot or horseback, the information was relevant and the concept, proving most popular, spawned a large number of subsequent similar publications. The wall-map was engraved on twelve sheets, intended to be canvas mounted and hung from wooden rollers, however, two years later, Adams was to produce a more practically sized map, separately issued at first and then to be bound into an index volume - Index Villaris, supplied here. The large-scale map is set within a decorative floral bedecked and figured border with a table listing and locating cities and market towns at each side. The dedication is topped by the Royal coat-of-arms, and all is finely engraved. The present map is in the first state, dedicated to Charles II, and in fine original colour. Minor defects, typical of a large folding map, have been expertly repaired, nevertheless, this is a lovely copy one of the most stunning and attractive maps of England and Wales to be produced in London.
region: General Maps of Britain |
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