WILTONIAE

Comitatus herbida Planicie nobilis

vulgo Will Shire pars olim Belgarum

Engraved by William Kip after Christopher Saxton

 Published in Camden's Britannia, London 1637

A fine copper engraved original early 17th century antique county map of Wiltshire, England.

 A highly detailed map with strapwork title cartouche, compass rose and scale of  miles. 

 A lovely prime example enhanced with attractive later hand colouring.

Fine clean condition. Free of repairs or restoration, centre fold as issued.

Approx. 14" x 11"(360mm x 280mm) map area only, with good margins beyond. 

Sheet size approx 15" x 13"(380mm x 325mm)

 Printed on hand laid paper which remains stable and robust, blank verso. 

 Please see also close up images.

William Camden (1551- 1623)  was a noted historian, author and headmaster of Westminster School. His greatest work was "Britain, or a Chorographical Description of the most Flourishing Kingdoms, England, Scotland and Ireland...........".

Usually referred to as Camden's Britannia, it was first published in 1586.  It was later to be "beautifed with mappes of the severall shires of England". Three editions with these maps were published in 1607, 1610 and 1637. The first edition was printed on very thin paper with Latin text verso which often bled through on to the map. This problem was corrected on subsequent editions which were printed on heavier paper without the text verso and consequently much clearer.

Most of the county maps were based on Christopher Saxton's work with the exception of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Middlesex which came from John Norden. The maps of England & Wales, Scotland and Ireland were based on Gerard Mercator. The majority were engraved by William Kip with the remainder by William Hole.

A GENUINE ANTIQUE MAP GUARANTEED OVER 380 YEARS OLD FROM LINDISFARNE PRINTS

D823