Beautifully coloured map of the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland 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 1576, was engraved by Augustine Ryther who proudly proclaims his English heritage below his “signature”. It decorated with two strap-work cartouches, the Royal coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth, the coat of arms of Thomas Seckford, sailing ships and sea monsters. Blank verso and showing the bunch of grapes watermark. Other than two printer’s creases and an old fold to the top margin from a previous framing, the map is in excellent condition. 38.5 cm x 49.5 cm