1631 Mappa Aestivarum | A Mapp of the Sommer
By: John Speed
Date: 1626 / 1631 (circa) London
Dimensions: 16 x 21 inches (40.5 x 53.25 cm)
This highly desirable map by John Speed focuses on Bermuda but also depicts parts of Florida, Cape Cod, Virginia including the colony of Roanoke, and Nova Anglia - New England. It also includes detailed information regarding the surveys accomplished by Richard Norwood in (circa) 1617.
The map clearly illustrates the manner in which property of the Somer Isles Company was sold and registered to shareholders, by dividing the island first into parishes and further into thin strips of property covering the entire island. Each strip is named, numbered and outlined in colour according to the ‘tribe’ or group of investors of which individual purchasers were members. Parts of the island not divided into strips are labeled as ‘Part of the General Land’. An extensive key below the map lists the name of each individual, and is flanked by the crests of the Islands and the Crown.
In addition to the survey information, the map also shows various structures of the settlements on the island, including private dwellings on many of the properties, and the settlements where multiple dwellings were built. At the time the map was drawn, three areas had such settlements, with a number of dwellings built close to one another in the assigned strips. The resulting map thus provides a guide to real estate sales practices in the early 17th cenutry in the New World.
In addition to the survey information, the map also shows various structures of the settlements on the island, including private dwellings on many of the properties, and the settlements where multiple dwellings were built. At the time the map was drawn, three areas had such settlements, with a number of dwellings built close to one another in the assigned strips.
Farm buildings, churches, towns, and forts are highlighted in red. A fortress on the Island of St. George, named after the patron saint of England, is depicted, along with several additional buildings including what appears to be a substantial residence featuring a large stone tower.
All islands of significant size are named. In addition to the large scale map, a miniature Bermuda is featured at the very centre of the sheet just below the elaborate strapwork cartouche, providing a perspective of size and distance to the mainland coasts featured in the map.
Within the cartouche Speed included a description of the islands’ position stating, “Islands once called the Bermudas lying at the mouth of the bay of Mexico in the latitude of 32 deg 25 min. Distant from England viz London toward the west southwest is 3300 miles. And from Roanoke in Virginia toward the east southeast 500 miles exactlie surveyed.”
The map is embellished with an elaborate compass rose, ships at full sail in the sea, along with many of Speed’s recognizable, elegant decorative elements. The map would be a fine addition for those tracing the evolution of power and politics in the New World in the early 17th century.
Sir George Somers was an Elizabethan privateer, merchant trader, MP, military leader and founder of Bermuda (aka The Somers Isles), England’s first Crown Colony. He was also instrumental in ensuring the survival of the Virginian colony of Jamestown by sailing to their rescue from Bermuda (where he had been shipwrecked) with fresh food and supplies. To this day Bermuda is often referred to as the Somers Islands.
Condition: Map is in B+ condition with several repairs to the margins. The printed area of the map is in very fine condition with fine hand coloring over a sharp impression on clean paper. Margins are full on all sides which can be hard to come by with these maps.
Inventory #12811
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