[Chesapeake Bay] Browne, Christopher

Broadsheet copper engraved map (617 x 524 mm), ornate cartouche to upper left, uncut. Contemporary hand-color, general light age-toning, paper flaw near upper edge, some brown spots in blank space at lower right, remnants of tape to verso from previous matting/framing.

Burden 694; Stevens & Tree 86 (a)

Exceedingly rare first issue of this map of Virginia and the surrounding areas, in Burden's second state, with the imprint of Christopher Browne. "The details behind the issue of this map are unknown, as no dedication or clues indicate the purpose for its publication... The author believes Browne saw that the interest was high in this region but that there was a lack of maps to supply the demand. Augustine Herrman's map of 1673[74] was too large for most practical situations; the only other competition known was that of John Thornton and Robert Greene issued c. 1678. Greene died in 1688....Browne's own plate from the Speed was not the most accurate. Although it did utilise the superior nomenclature of Herrman, it relied upon John Smith outlines from 1612. The Browne state is exceedingly rare..." (Burden) We can locate no other copies of the first issue of this map in the auction records.