Coloured map of the British Isles from the first edition of John Speed’s “Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain” published by John Sudbury and George Humble. The map served as a general introduction to the series of regional and county maps in the atlas. Engraved by Jodocus Hondius shortly after the union of Scotland with England and Wales, the map contains views of London and Edinburgh celebrating the union. Also shown are numerous vignette illustrations showing ships, sea monsters and coats of arms as well as ancient coins showing Britannia and "Cunobilin", Shakespeare's Cymbeline - King Coel. A description of the British Isles appears on the verso in English. Other than a minor printer’s crease adjacent to the centrefold and a short repair to a bottom centrefold split, a finely coloured, strong impression on heavy, stable paper with tight margins in very good condition. 38 cm x 51.5 cm