“GLAMORGANSHYRE, MONMOUTHSHYRE” London: Michael Drayton, c. 1612-22. (Image: 9 5/8 x 12 ½’’) Original copper-plate engraved map with later hand-coloring from the very scarce Poly-Olbion. Years ago the lower right hand margin was extended to facilitate matting. In better condition than usually found with Drayton maps.
The most decorative map from Drayton’s Poly-Olbion! It depicts Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and the Severn Estuary, focusing on hills with shepherds, and rivers with water nymphs and allegorical figures. Only major towns are identified. The orchestras of Wales and England compete for control of Lundy, judged by Neptune riding a sea-monster.
Drayton’s maps (engraved by William Hole) are the most fantastic and fanciful British county maps ever produced! Drayton was a friend of Shakespeare and considered himself a poet. Geographic accuracy was secondary to the decorative appeal of nymphs, river gods, shepherds and diverse creatures of Drayton’s lengthy paean to England. “These maps were designed to amplify texts which celebrated the growing national pride and patriotic glory of the Renaissance kingdoms of the Tudor and early Stuart period” (The Map Collector, Issue #17, p.16).
Presented in an archival 14 x 17'' mat
