An early map of Berkshire, with a prospect of Windsor Castle

SPEED, John.

Barkshire Described.
London, Roger Rea and Son, 1665. Coloured. 385 x 510mm.

Centrefold reinforced.

An important map of Berkshire, engraved by Jodocus Hondius for John Speed's county atlas, 'The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain', first published 1611-12. It is one of the most decorative maps of the county, with a prospect of Windsor Castle, a title carouche featuring cherubs with books, a compass rose and a vignette battle scene. An English text on the reverse gives a history of the county and an extensive list of towns and villages.
This example comes from the Roger Rea issue of the atlas, which was beset with disaster: according to an advert for the 1676 Bassett & Chiswell edition, ''the greatest part of an Impression, then newly Printed, [was] destroyed by the late dreadful Fire, 1666". Surviving examples of any Rea map are thus rare.


Stock ID : 24017