John Speed – A New and Accurate Map of the World, 1651 Digitally restored giclée reproduction, after John Speed (1552–1629) John Speed's double-hemisphere world map is a celebrated work of English cartography. First issued in 1626–27, it was among the earliest world maps printed in England and in English. Original impressions are rare and prized for their geographic detail and elaborate decoration. This print is made from a hand-colored example of the 1651 plate, in the later issue sold by Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell (c. 1676), whose imprint appears in the southern hemisphere. It is a restored reproduction, not an antique original. The map shows the world as it was understood in Speed's time. California appears as an island, and New Plymouth is marked in North America. Across the hemispheres, sailing ships and sea creatures sit among fine geographic lines and inscriptions describing the climate zones. Cartouches and notes give accounts of exploration in North America and the southern latitudes. Around the map are two smaller celestial hemispheres, allegorical figures of Water, Earth, Air and Fire, and diagrams of solar and lunar eclipses. Portraits of four early circumnavigators complete the border: Ferdinand Magellan, Sir Francis Drake, Thomas Cavendish and Olivier van Noort. Speed's combination of geography, portraiture and celestial imagery reflects the influence of Dutch mapmaking. His sources included Jodocus Hondius's 1617 world map and William Grent's rare map of 1625. The restoration Working from a high-resolution scan, we carefully removed stains, fold lines and surface damage, and balanced the color, contrast and clarity. We preserved the map's geography, lettering, annotations, hand-applied color and decorative details, because its value lies in the story it tells about how people once saw the world. Print details Technique: giclée, archival pigment inks Paper: premium natural matte fine art paper, 230 gsm, archival grade Framing: sold unframed. Frames in the photos are for display only. Shipped rolled in a sturdy tube About Old Maps Maps have been our passion for many years. Long before this became our work, we were collecting, studying and admiring them, drawn to what they reveal about how people once knew, believed and imagined the world. Every old map tells a story of exploration and discovery, and of the craftsmen who engraved and colored it by hand. Now we want to share that love of history with others. We work from historic maps held in archives, libraries, museums and private collections, and choose pieces with character. Each one is restored with respect for the original. Our goal is not to make an old map look new, but to let its beauty be seen again. Please note: this lot is a digitally restored reproduction, not an original antique map. Old Maps: preserving history, one map at a time.