William Camden’s Britannia – 1695 | First edition, 50 Maps & Ancient Coins

An exceedingly rare and valuable first edition of William Camden’s Britannia translated and edited by Edmund Gibson. This work is considered one the greatest achievements of English scholarship and is the first topographical survey of Great Britain! Camden first published this book in Latin in 1586, dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, and an English edition did not appear until early 17th-century. It gained immense popularity, both in its original printing and English forms.

The original 1610 English translation is considered inferior to this enormous 1695 Gibson edition. It was filled with errors and inaccuracies that Gibson did not include in this printing. (Oxford DNB).

This book was the first to show a study of Roman Britain, and was the first county-by-county survey of Great Britain.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Camden’s Britannia, newly translated into English : with large additions and improvements
• Author(s): William Camden
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s): Edmund Gibson, editor
• Publisher: London : Printed by F. Collins, for A. Swalle
• Edition: First edition. 1695.
• Format: folio. Single volume
• Binding: Modern leather
• Size:  16 in × 10 in (40.5 cm × 25.5 cm)
• Collation: [34], cxcvi columns, [2], 1116 columns, [45]
• Illustrations: numerous in-text engravings; 9 plates; 50 double-page map
• Contents Include:
  • Dedicated to Sir John Sommers
  • Descriptions of the earliest inhabitants of England and Great Britain
  • The Roman invasion in Britain
  • Descriptions of coins and medals
  • 50 double-page maps of England and its regions
• Reference(s): Wing C 359

Condition:

Very Good. Leather strong with minimal rubbing to corners and edges. Pages generally clean and maps all present and sharp. Binding gilt still retained.

Why Collect This?

• Incredibly rare first edition with all 50 maps and 9 engraved plates
• Rarely found complete
• One of the most reliable sources on the Roman Invasion of England

Item Number: #29290