Exploring the John Speed's World Map from 1651.
- Dubravko
- Feb 21
- 4 min read
There is something truly magical about the way 17th century explorers viewed our planet. One of the most famous examples of this is the John Speed's (1651.) world map. It is officially titled "A New and Accurat Map of the World." This map is a massive treasure chest of history, art, and science all on a single page.
In our family workshop, we take great pride in bringing this masterpiece back to life. We use thick, hand-processed paper and a natural beeswax finish to make the map look and feel like an original artifact. Because we always burn the edges by hand, every piece we ship is a one of a kind work of art.
What is the John Speed's 1651. World Map?
The John Speed's (1651.) map is a famous double hemisphere world map originally published in England. It is celebrated for being the first world map in an English atlas to show California as a large island. The map is surrounded by beautiful illustrations of the four elements, celestial diagrams, and portraits of famous explorers.
Who Was John Speed?
John Speed was not born as a mapmaker. In fact, he started his life in the 1500s as a tailor in London. He followed in his father's footsteps in the fashion industry, but his true heart was always in history and research.
His life changed when he met a wealthy patron named Sir Fulke Greville. Greville was so impressed by Speed’s talent for drawing that he gave him the money and time to focus on maps full time. Speed went on to create the first complete atlas of the British Isles and became the most famous English mapmaker of his day.
The Secrets of the (1651.) World Map
When you look at our John Speed's World Map, you will see that the borders are just as interesting as the lands themselves.
Why is California shown as an island?
For nearly 100 years, many mapmakers believed California was a giant island separated from North America. Speed’s map was the first English atlas map to spread this famous mistake. It is one of the most sought after details for collectors today because it shows exactly how much was still a mystery in the 1600s.
The Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and "Aire"
In the corners of the map, you can see four figures representing the elements of the natural world. These personifications were a very popular way to show how the world worked during the Renaissance.
The Four Great Explorers
The map features medallion portraits of the first four men to sail around the world. You can find Sir Francis Drake, Ferdinand Magellan, Thomas Cavendish, and Olivier van Noort. These men were the superstars of their age, and including them on the map was a way to celebrate English pride and global discovery.
Celestial Diagrams and Eclipses
Speed did not just stop at the land and sea. He included diagrams of the northern and southern heavens, plus illustrations of solar and lunar eclipses. This reminds us that in 1651, a map was meant to be an encyclopedia of the entire universe, not just a guide for travel.
Key Knowledge for Researchers
Feature | Detail |
Official Name | A New and Accurat Map of the World |
Maker | John Speed (Originally 1626, Reissued 1651.) |
First For | First English atlas map to show California as an island |
The Explorers | Drake, Magellan, Cavendish, and Van Noort |
Iconography | Allegories of the four elements and celestial hemispheres |
Why Our Handcrafted Replicas are Different
We believe that a map this important deserves better than a modern machine print. Our workshop uses traditional methods to ensure your art looks authentic.
Always Hand Burned Edges: We always burn the edges of our prints by hand. This gives each map a unique, aged look that you cannot find in a factory.
Beeswax Finish: We finish the paper with natural beeswax. This gives it a warm glow and a soft, parchment like feel that catches the light beautifully.
Gold Paint Accents: We hand paint small gold details on the map titles and the explorers' medallion borders to add a touch of luxury.
Real Historical Sources: Each print is made from real historical sources to ensure every detail of the 1651 engraving is sharp and clear.
Displaying History in Your Home
Because we use thick, hand-processed paper and natural beeswax, these prints are built to last for many years. Many of our customers choose a "float mount" for their frames. This style lets the map sit slightly forward so that the hand-burned edges are easy to see from every angle.
If you want to see exactly how we prepare our paper and apply the beeswax, you can read more about how we make our handcrafted parchment replicas. You can also explore the stories of other master mapmakers in our complete guide to antique map prints. You can find this handcrafted replica and many others in our full antique map prints collection in the shop here.
Frequently Asked Questions About the John Speed's (1651.) Map
Why is the spelling on the map so strange?
In 1651, English spelling was not yet standardized. That is why you see words like "Accurat" instead of "Accurate" and "Aire" instead of "Air." It is a charming part of the map’s history.
What is the "Southern Unknown Land"?
At the bottom of the map, there is a large area called Magallanica. This was what people called Australia and Antarctica before they were fully mapped. It was mostly guesswork based on old legends.
Is this map based on real historical research?
Yes. John Speed was a very careful researcher. He worked with famous scholars like William Camden and Robert Cotton to make sure his maps were based on the best observations available at the time.
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