John Speed

The first atlas map of the world to show California as an island.

• John Speed (English).
• A New and Accurat Map of the World Drawne according to ye truest Descriptions, latest Discoveries & best observations y.t have beene made by English or Strangers. 1651.
• London: Thomas Bassett & Richard Chiswell, 1676.
• This work is presented unframed.

"A double-hemisphere world map, probably engraved by Abraham Goos for John Speed's 'Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World', the first English atlas of the world. It was the first atlas map to show California as an island, an idea Goos introduced to print with a map of North America in 1624. On the other side of the world this map also shows Korea as an island and 'Beach', the mythical kingdom located on 'The Southerne Unknowne Land'. Around the rims of the double-hemispheres is an abundance of decoration, including celestial spheres in the cusps, allegorical figures of the Four Elements, portraits of circumnavigators and diagrams of eclipses. 

 On verso is an interesting English-text 'Description of the World'. 

 The 'Prospect' was first published in 1627: this example comes from the last issue of the atlas."