Lot #35: SIGNED BLOME 1673 FRAMED HAND-COLOURED MAP OF HAMPSHIRE

Map with frame measures 14" x 12.25"....    Pencil signed Blome 1673  near base    Excellent sound original condition  Normal light age wear  No loss        SIGNED BLOME 1763 FRAMED HAND-COLOURED MAP OF HAMPSHIRE    Richard Blome (1635-1705) was a noted heraldic writer, cartographer and publisher who flourished in the latter half of the 17th century. He was a prolific, if not always original, worker and was thus frequently accused of plagiarism by his contemporaries. In Blome's defence, he usually cited his sources and, as with all map publishers of the period, did not have the resources to improve on the existing cartographic information available; nevertheless, his maps were attractive and quaintly designed and have retained a certain charm to this day.  His first series of county maps, the 'Britannia', based on the latest Speed maps, was published in 1673 but this was not a success (hence their relative rarity). This was followed in 1681 with smaller ones entitled "Speed's Maps Epitomiz'd". In both cases, many of these maps were engraved by Robert Palmer, Francis Lamb and most notably, the renowned Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677).     This is an original copperplate engraving with later hand colour.

Measurements: Map with frame measures 14" x 12.25".