A Map of Russia

A highly decorative map of Russia from John Speed's Prospect of the most famous parts of the world, the first World Atlas published by an Englishman. With an inset map of Moscow to the top left, titled The famous and imperiall City of Moscow, and to the right are vignette views of Narva, Archangel and the Emperors court. The English text on verso provides a 17th Century description of Russia. Engraved by Francis Lamp.

From the last edition of John Speed's Prospect of the most famous parts of the world published by Bassett and Chiswell long after Speed's death. Since this Russia map only appears in the last edition of 1676, it is rare and hard to find on the market.

Cut to the neatline and remargined. Lower left corner torn of, restored and redrawn. Tears in lower right corner closed. Tear on the left side closed. Several tiny holes closed. Backed with Japan paper. Restoration have been professionally executed and is hardly visible unless held up to the light.

John Speed was born 1552 at Farndon in Cheshire. First followed his father trade as a tailor until the age of fifty. His real profession was from early age map making an historian as an amateur, and he focused on this with the help of Sir Fulke Greville. As source for his maps, Speed used material from Saxton and Norden, but he also considered up-to-date material especially for the inset town plans on his maps. The maps have been engraved by Jodocus Hondius in Amsterdam and shipped back to London for printing. The first edition of his Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain came to sale 1610-11 and was re-issued until 1770. In 1627 he published A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World, the first World Atlas produced by an Englishman. Re-issues have been published until 1676.