1612-1622 - Original Antique engraved Map of Cheshire (1563-1631) for the Poly-Olbion. Ignoring political boundaries and instead focusing on natural features, with hills and rivers populated by allegorical figures. Only major towns are marked including Chester, Nantwich and Nantwich. Part of the Wirrall and the River Mersey are also shown.

Sized approximately 34.5 x 27.5cm.

Condition is excellent with central fold as issued. 

The 'Poly-Olbion' was an epic Topographical Poem divided into thirty songs written in Aledandrine 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.