Middlesex Maps

91x59 cm

The COUNTY of MIDDLESEX actually Survey'd and DELINEATED AND Newly Corrected & Amended with many Additions. Note that y^e uppermost Figures in y^e Circles are Computed and the undermost Staute or Measured Miles. A.D. 1714.
To the NOBILITY and GENTRY That are Related to the County of MIDLESEX This MAP is humbly dedicated and Sold by Jo^s. Smith at ye West end within Exeter Exchange in the Strand. 
I. Oliver sculp. 

John Seller's rare map of Middlesex engraved by John Oliver first issued by John Seller (fl. 1660-1697), hydrographer to Charles II, James II and Queen Anne, in 1679. The map was intended to be part of a large folio atlas of England and Wales but despite financial support from the treasury, the scheme failed with only the the six counties of Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire completed. Seller sold the plates to Philip Lea who issue them in composite atlases and loose sheet maps. Philip Lea died in 1700 and his business was continued by his widow, Anne lea until her death in 1730.
John Seller's name in the dedication has been changed to Jo^s. Smith who was possibly a co-publisher with Anne Lea or had acquired the plate by 1714.
The engraver and partner in the aborted scheme was John Oliver (1616?-1701), builder, architect, glass-painter, mapmaker, surveyor, printseller, publisher, and engraver.  Oliver was a common councilman for Queenhithe Ward 1667-1689, was appointed official surveyor to the City of London in 1668, and married his second wife Susanna Speed, grand-daughter of John Speed in 1670. He was master of the Glaziers company 1685-6 and became Master Mason to the King in 1686. 
Engraved on two sheets joined, the map is in original outline hand colour. A horizontal and two additional vertical folds with a few repairs at the folds verso. The map has been trimmed to the engraved line, now re-margined. A light sellotape stain to map at Harrow Weald and repair to sellotape stain at bottom margin near Sidcup. Despite these faults it remains a good impression of a large and attractive and rare map.