1646 - "Europ, and the cheife Cities contained therein, described with the habits of most Kingdoms now in use......."

A presentable example of the rare map of Europe by John Speed.  Europe is framed by Northern Africa, Turkey (“Lesser Asia”), and part of Greenland. The mythical island of Frisland is just to the west of Iceland. The Black Sea is labeled as the Euxine Sea, the Greek name for the body of water. The landmasses are thickly covered with towns, cities, rivers, forests, and mountains. Sea monsters patrol the waters of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The sea beasts are well clear of the ships on patrol, however, and the ships involved in a pitched battle off the west coast of Ireland. Two cartouches are in the upper right and lower left corners. At top is Speed’s name and the date, 1626, while the printseller’s information is in the lower cartouche. George Humble can be found at the Popeshead Alley, near the Royal Exchange.

Some of the most notable features of the map are its decorative borders in the carte-a-figures style. Along the top are a mixture of plans and bird’s-eye-views of Europe’s most prominent cities. From left to right are London, Paris, Rome, Constantinople (Istanbul), Venice, Prague, Amsterdam, and Lisbon. Along the side borders are examples of the dress of several societies. These include, at left, an English woman, a Venetian man, a German woman, a Polish man, and a Hungarian woman. At right are a Spanish man, a French woman, a Belgian man, a Bohemian woman, and a Greek man.

Overall size approx 52cm x 40cm.

Condition is reasonable. Appears to be original hand colour that has become darkened with age. There is age toning to the upper right corner and there are spots of fading, but overall, a good collectable example, priced accordingly.