SPEED, John (1552-1629). The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. ... [Together with:] A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World. London: Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell, 1676.

The 1676 edition of the most influential atlas by England’s greatest cartographer, with 8 new maps. John Speed’s fame, which continues to this day, lies with two atlases, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine (first published 1612), and the Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World (1627). The present volume combines both works, and was published posthumously in 1676 with 8 new maps (on 7 sheets) not previously available: New England (Burden 455), Virginia and Maryland (Burden 456, first state), Carolina (Burden 457), Jamaica and Barbados, East India, Russia and Canaan. "The 1676 edition of John Speed's famous atlas marked the high point of its publishing history" (Burden). The Prospect includes the World map showing California as an Island, as well as the Continents.

Folio (423 x 280mm). Complete with 96 total double-page maps, comprising 68 in Theatre and 28 in Prospect, plus five letterpress tables of road distances (first work: minor dust-soiling to prelims, engraved title and frontispiece laid down, repaired tear to lower edge of letterpress title extending through the imprint, one or two minor stains or losses at margins, Northamptonshire leaves trimmed close to plate mark on map and rule on text; second work: Spain and Belgium maps trimmed close to border, Belgium with loss to left border decoration). Modern red morocco gilt, to style.

Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (armorial bookplate).