Uncoloured map of the county of Somerset from “An Atlas of England and Wales by Christopher Saxton”, the first atlas of England and Wales initially appearing 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 dated 1575, was engraved by Lenaert Terwoort who was also responsible for several others including those of Cornwall and Hampshire. It is decorated with a spectacular title cartouche that incorporates the Royal coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth, the coat of arms of Thomas Seckford, sailing ships and a very peculiar fish/sea monster. Blank verso and showing the bunch of grapes watermark. Other than a short tear to the bottom margin to the right of the centrefold that just enters the printed border, the map is in excellent condition. 39 cm x 51 cm