1612-1622 A fine & decorative original Antique engraved Map of Surrey & Sussex (1563-1631) for the Poly-Olbion.

His maps are decorated with allegorical images of Goddesses, water nymphs and hunters. This example shows the cities of London, Arundel, Chichester and Hastings as well as the royal palaces of Hampton Court, Westminster and Richmond.

This example with the SEVENTEENTH SONG sheet attached.

The 'Poly-Olbion' was an epic Topographical Poem divided into thirty songs written in Alexandrine couplets, ran to nearly 15,000 lines of verse. Each song described one, two or three counties, describing their topography, traditions and histories. The first part was published in 1612, with eighteen maps probably engraved by William Hole (who signed the frontispiece). Drayton had been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth's court, but was not so popular with James I. Perhaps to rectify this, the 'Poly-Olbion' was dedicated to Henry, Prince of Wales, but Henry dies in 1612, the year of Publication. The word did not sell well and it was not until 1622 that Drayton could find a publisher for the second part, which contained ten more maps. Drayton intended to compose a further part to cover Scotland, but no part of this work is known to have survived. Despite these setbacks, Drayton was still prominent enougth to be buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey when he dies in 1631. It was only posthumously that the Poly-Olbion became a literary classic.

Sized approx 34.5 x 27.5cm.

Condition is excellent with central fold as issued.