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1712 Wells Map of the British Isles in Antiquity (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland)
BritishIslesRomans-wells-1712$100.00
Title
A New Map of the Brittish Isles, Shewing their Antient People, Cities, and Towns of Note, in the time of the Romans.
1712 (undated) 15.5 x 20 in (39.37 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 2846000
1712 (undated) 15.5 x 20 in (39.37 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 2846000
Description
This is a beautiful 1712 map of the British Isles during the ancient Roman times by Edward Wells of Oxford. It covers all of modern day England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The map is highly detailed and notes the ancient cities and towns as they existed in antiquity. Rivers, roads and other topographical features are also noted.
The Wall of Antonine in modern day Scotland and the Wall of Hadrian, fortifications built by the Roman Empire to defend against the unruly tribes of the north, are noted, but not identified.
A decorative cartouche appears on the top right quadrant of the map featuring the coat of arms of the Duke of Gloucester. This, like many other Wells maps, is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and son of Queen Anne, who, when this map was being prepared, was a student at Oxford. Engraved by Sutton Nicholls and published by T. Bonwicke for the 1712 edition of Edward Wells' Atlas, A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography.
The Wall of Antonine in modern day Scotland and the Wall of Hadrian, fortifications built by the Roman Empire to defend against the unruly tribes of the north, are noted, but not identified.
A decorative cartouche appears on the top right quadrant of the map featuring the coat of arms of the Duke of Gloucester. This, like many other Wells maps, is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and son of Queen Anne, who, when this map was being prepared, was a student at Oxford. Engraved by Sutton Nicholls and published by T. Bonwicke for the 1712 edition of Edward Wells' Atlas, A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography.
Cartographer
Edward Wells (1667 - 1727) was an English mathematician, geographer, and classical scholar based at Christ Church College, Oxford. Wells trained for the ministry but quickly found himself unsuited to religious life and instead applied for an academic position at Oxford, where he authored numerous well respected works on a wide range of mathematical and scientific topics. He tutored Prince William, the sickly son of Queen Anne, who was likely about 11 at the time this map was prepared. Wells dedicated nearly all of the maps in his atlas, A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography, to the young prince - quite possibly posthumously, as William died in July of 1700 shortly prior to the publication of the atlas. Nonetheless, Wells' geography proved popular and was published in number editions well into the 1730s. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Wells, E., A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography, (London, T. w. Bonwicke) c. 1712.
A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography was published by Edward Wells in various editions between 1701 and 1730. The publication contained some 40 maps all of which were dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester. Wells tutored the young prince at Christchurch, Oxford and seems to have developed a close relationship with him. At just 11 years of age, William died in 1700 and never had the opportunity to see the published work that he inspired. The atlas was intended for educational purposes with a focus on school use.
Condition
Good. Verso repair over split along original centerfold. Some cracks and verso repair at places. Professionally flattened and backed with archival tissue. Minor foxing.
References
Boston Public Library, Leventhal Map Center, G5740 1719 .W45.