This old, monochrome and wonderful map shows the ancient county of Essex as it was in 1611. It was created by John Speed and engraved by Jodocus Hondius, and originally published in Speed's "The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine".
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16 inches (31x41cm), 18x24 inches (45.5x61cm) and 24x36 inches (61x91.5cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 52x70 inches (130x180cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x18 inch (60x45cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
I also have this same map in
its handcoloured form. Depending on your room’s aesthetic/decor, you might prefer this version.
Many of the towns, villages and cities in Essex are already visible in this ancient map, such as Colchester, Chelmsford and Braintree. There's a detailed engraving of Colchester in the bottom right (the capital of the county) and some coats of arms on the left side of the map.
The southwest part of Essex in this map borders London, which means this map also includes some north and east London towns and villages including: Hackney, Newington, Tottenham, Deptford, Greenwich, Barking, Walthamstow and Waltham Forest.
Some of the other Essex towns and villages that can also be seen on this map include: Romford, Brentford, Chigwell, Basildon, Billericay, Clacton and Wivenhoe. But of course, many of them are spelt in their Early Modern English forms.
Curiously, Southend-on-Sea didn't exist yet! There is the small village of Prittlewell, though, which would later become Southend.
Take a look at the detailed images and try to spot your hometown!
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas,
Father's Day, work leaving or housewarming gift for someone from Southend, who is looking for a map of north or east London, or who has Essex in their heart.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.