Art

A magnificent set of maps of the four known continents, engraved by Abraham Goos, with English texts on verso, originally published in Speed's A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World (1627). Each map is dated 1626, although America was issued in 1631. i) "Africae, described the manners of their habits and buildinge; newly done into English by IS and published at the charges of G Humble" with five national costume figures to both sides and cities to top border, title cartouche top right, elephants, lions, hyena, ostriches and monkey, ships and sea monsters. ii) "America with those known parts in the unknown Worlde", 1st state, 2nd issue, showing California as an island, with five native tribal figures to each side, eight panels of city views above, with inset map of Greenland, upper left, title cartouche lower left, ships and sea monsters; English text verso with extended fleuron header replacing page no. 9. iii) "Asia with the Islands Adjoining Described" with five national costume figures to each side, eight panels of city views above, title cartouche upper left, the Great Wall of China and an elephant, ships and sea monsters. iv) "Europe, and the Cheife Cities Contained therein", the continent showing part of Greenland, Asia Minor and North Africa, with the mythical island of Frisland off Iceland, ships and sea monsters; five panels of various national costume figures to each side, eight panels of city views above. Framed size: 650 x 755 mm each. Copperplate engraving. Hand coloured. Very good condition, slight browning; Africa with central fold tear only affecting margin; America miniscule surface loss to upper left borderline; Europe with minor split and very small loss at foot of central vertical fold.