17th CENTURY ANTIQUE MAP OF LONDON, RICHARD BLOME & W HOLLAR, BRITANNIA C. 1673

Description: 17th CENTURY ANTIQUE MAP OF LONDON, RICHARD BLOME & W HOLLAR, BRITANNIA C. 1673 This is a beautiful & original antique engraved 17th C map of London, in an old frame, glazed, with hand coloured detailing. I am not a map expert and I’ve researched this map a little - it is 17th C date - I think the map dates to 1673 date and would pre-date Vyner's selection as Mayor in 1674. In old frame, glazed, old price label to back. I’ve not removed map from frame. The map is Richard Blome's edition of Wenceslaus Hollar's London which shows the city as it was before the Great Fire of 1666. The map was drawn and engraved by Wenceslas (Wenzel) Hollar for Richard Blome and has the name “W. Hollar fecit” at the base of the map. Extending from Westminster in the west to Stepney in the east, the aerial view depicts the city’s streets, buildings and notable sites in detail. The map’s border is adorned with the coat of arms of the City of London, and of 12 of the Great City Livery companies in the side margins - dating from Medieval times, & a few more recent companies on the lower margin, such as the arms of the East India Merchants. Underneath centre on the map is the personal Arms of Sir Robert Vyner (Viner), future Lord Mayor of London and a dedication to Lord Vyner: “To the Honoble Sr. Robert Vyner of the Citty of London Alderman, Kt. and Baronet; This Mapp is humbly dedicated by Ric: Blome”. There are a compass star and scale bar in miles drawn at bottom right and an alphabetical and numerical key identifying 69 important landmark features. Richard Blome was an English engraver, cartographer and printer who successfully published and sold a large number of maps, none of which were original. In fact, he was even accused of plagiarism, since he often failed to credit the original sources. Despite being embroiled in several conflicts that led one critic to remark that “Mr. Blome hath got nothing but scandal and evil will by his bad accompts and great mistakes”, Blome won the favour of Charles II. The newly-restored king granted the publisher a royal privilege and recommended his work to friends and officials alike. As a result, Blome’s maps, books, prints and playing cards enjoyed wide circulation throughout England and Europe. In 1673, he published his ‘Britannia’, in which there was an aerial view of London originally made by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1667, but reengraved with a new dedication to Sir Robert Vyner. There is a copy of the C1673 map in the British Museum and the curator notes that “Only the second state of this plate was used in Richard Blome's 'Britannia', London 1673. The arms of the City Companies are not by Hollar.” Condition - Good antique condition, with some minor age related marks and discolouration - as is to be expected with most antique maps. Displays very well. There are fairly good margins around the printed area - wide enough to be good for mounting and reframing if desired. Painted black wooden frame- some wear. Photos taken through the glass so some reflections. Please see all photos to help assess condition fully. Size - approx - printed image - 27.5 cm by 17.0 cm ( over 10 3/4” x 6 7/8” ), frame 30.5 cm by 19.8 cm ( 12” x 7 3/4” ) Postage and Packing I pack parcels very well using recycled materials where possible, both to keep costs down and be more sustainable. Please try to reuse or recycle packaging where you can. Please note I do not make money on postage. UK - £16.00 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, with full insurance within UK - next day delivery after posting.

Price: 980 GBP

Location: Totnes, Devon

End Time: 2024-10-30T20:14:26.000Z

Shipping Cost: 104.52 GBP