Finely coloured map of Cornwall from a ca 1646 edition of John Speed’s “Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain” published by William Humble. As this example has no text on the verso and has the italicized changes done in 1627, it was probably taken from an atlas published during the time of the English Civil War. One of the most decorative and recognisable of all Speed’s county maps, it is based on the work of John Norden rather than Christopher Saxton. The map contains a prospect of the ancient town of Launceston along with ships, sea monsters, Cornish antiquities and the arms of the noble families of the county. Blank verso. The map has several repaired tears in the bottom half of the map and is backed in archival tissue; otherwise it is a strong, dark impression and will look very attractive when framed. 38 cm x 51 cm