|
This beautifully
engraved hand coloured original antique map of Great Britain
during the reign of the Saxon Kings - after the Romans
left and prior the Norman invasion in 1066 - was published by
Joan Blaeu in 1658 Spanish edition of Atlas Nouvs.
This map is based on
the 1611 Heptarchy map published by John Speed. The
side panels show historical scenes in Saxon history
between 456 and 662 A.D.
The unknown engraver of this Blaeu Map has re-created
each of the 14 scenes as an unmistakable Dutch miniature
in the dramatic style of the greater paintings of the
time. Blaeus map is considered the finest of the three
edition released by Speed, Blaeu and Jansson.
On the left panel are
seven full length figures of the first aspiring Saxon Kings with
their escutcheons, forces or townships; Hengist - Kent
456; Ella - South Saxon 478; Cherdin - West Saxon 519;
Erkenwin - East Saxon 527; Ida - Northumberland 582;
Uffa - East Anglia 546; Creda - Mercian 575. On the
right there are scenes showing the conversion of Saxon
Sovereigns to Christianity: Ethelbert (Kent 595)
receiving religious instruction from St Augustine;
Sebert (East Saxon 604) re-consecrating the temples of
Diana & Apollo - now St Pauls, London, and St Peters,
Westminster; Erpenwald (East Anglia, 624) embracing
baptism by the armed extortion of King Edwin of
Northumberland; Edwin (Northumberland, 627) stirred by a
vision to receive the Faith; Kengils (West Saxon, 635)
converted by the preaching of St Bernius; Peada (Mercia,
650) receiving the Faith by the persuasion of King Osway
of Northumberland but also being murdered by his own
mothers (some say his wife's) procurement; finally
Ethelwolfe (South Saxon 662) being baptized at Oxford by
St Berinus.
Blaeu is one of the most revered map makers of all time
and it is easy to see why in this beautiful original
map.
The high level of the topographical detail, the quality
of the paper, the artistic professionalism of the
engraving and the beauty of the original hand colouring
combine to produce a work of art that is both functional
and of exceptional beauty. (Ref: Shirley; Koeman; M&B;
Tooley)
General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, pink, red, blue, green
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 24 1/2in x 20 1/2in (615mmx 520mm)
Plate size: - 21in x 16 1/2in (530mm x 425mm)
Margins: - Min 1in (25mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - Repair to outer edges of margins, one repair
to bottom right margin into bottom border
Plate area: - None
Verso: - Light show-through, backed in Japanese archival
tissue paper
|
