John Seller (1632 – 1697) was an English Cartographer, publisher and book seller working in London in the latter half of the 17^th century.  He was a maker of mathematical instruments, globes and compasses and published marine and terrestrial atlases.  His output was considerable and wide ranging, but throughout his life he was beset with financial problems which limited the scope of his bigger projects.  His most significant work, ‘The English Pilot’, a set of detailed navigational maps published in 1671, was only completed with assistance, and his project to map the whole of England ‘Atlas Anglicanus’  was stopped after completing only 6 maps.

In 1662 Seller was put on trial for high treason.  It is said he repeated a rumour about a plot against the king. Those involved were executed and Seller was found guilty and briefly imprisoned before being pardoned.   The notoriety achieved by this episode was not all bad – it appears that it resulted in a boost to his business, eventually resulting in him being appointed Hydrographer to Charles ll in 1671.

In 1695 Seller published ‘Anglia Contracta’ a set of miniature maps of the counties and countries of Great Britain.  These maps were republished in 1701 by Joseph Wild for his updated version of William Camden’s ‘Britannia’ entitled ‘Camden’s Britannia Abridg’d’.  

Francis Grose 1731-1791was a writer and antiquarian.  Born into wealth, he was classically educated and fond of the good life. He was corpulent, good-natured and known as an 'antiquarian Falstaff'.  In 1772 he started publishing 'Antiquities of England and Wales' first in monthly parts, and then bound as a whole work.  The book use John Seller's maps and was illustrated with many plates and illustrations.  The book proved very popular and was reprinted many times until about 1820. This map is from the 1809 edition.