Old coloured county map of Northumberland from “An Atlas of England and Wales by Christopher Saxton”, the first atlas of England and Wales initially published in 1579. The atlas contains 34 county maps and a map of England and Wales, which were engraved between 1574 and 1578, based on surveys undertaken by Saxton and funded by Thomas Seckford, master of Requests to Queen Elizabeth. Saxton’s surveys were enormously important and continued to form the basis for English atlases for nearly 200 years. This map, which is undated, but thought to date from 1576, and is decorated with an ornate strapwork title cartouche that incorporates the Royal coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth with the arms of Thomas Seckford below. The route of “The wall of the picts” (Hadrian’s Wall) is shown stretching across the southern part of the county. Blank verso and showing the bunch of grapes watermark. The map has repairs to several short tears to the margins (some of which just enter the image) and the bottom margin has been extended with portions of the neatline replaced in facsimile. Otherwise, a lovely, old coloured example in good condition. 37.5 cm x 46 cm