eBay listing #294710038845 · Monitored category: Antique maps & cartography · Alert issued: 9 May 2025, 14:17
The engraving is consistent with the known Speed copper plates used for the 1610–1676 editions of the Theatre. Characteristic features confirmed: the strapwork cartouche in the lower right with mileage scale, the royal arms panel upper left, and Speed's distinctive town plans inset in the lower margin. The Latin text verso is visible and matches the known text for this county pairing. Paper quality and chain line spacing are consistent with 17th-century laid paper. The hand colour is original — pigment application and palette (ochre, green wash, rose) match documented Speed colourist work of the period. No evidence of a facsimile or later photographic reproduction.
Speed's Theatre ran through multiple editions from 1611 to 1676. The listing does not specify the edition, which affects value — earlier editions (1611–1627) command a premium over later ones (1662–1676). The plate wear visible in the image suggests a mid-period printing (c.1627–1650), which is still excellent. We recommend asking the seller to confirm the verso text date before purchasing. This does not affect the authenticity assessment — all editions are genuine Speed maps.
John Speed (1551–1629) produced the first comprehensive atlas of Great Britain and Ireland, published as The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine from 1611. His county maps were the first to include town plans and are among the most collected of all British antique maps. Original Speed maps with original hand colour are consistently sought by collectors and consistently hold value — the combination of historical significance, visual appeal, and relative availability makes them a cornerstone of British map collecting.
The seller has listed this as "antique map — old England county" with minimal description, suggesting unfamiliarity with the Speed market. The Buy It Now price of £249 is consistent with a general antique dealer's pricing rather than a specialist map dealer's. Specialist map dealers routinely list comparable Speed maps at £350–£550. The excellent condition of this example pushes the value toward the upper end of that range.
| Item | Condition | Sold | Price | vs this listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed — Westmorland & Cumberland, c.1627, original colour | Very good | Christie's, Nov 2024 | £420 | 41% below sold |
| Speed — Cumberland, c.1610, original colour | Good | eBay, Jan 2025 | £310 | 20% below sold |
| Speed — Westmorland, c.1650, later colour | Very good | eBay, Mar 2025 | £275 | 10% above sold |
| Speed — Westmorland & Cumberland, c.1627, original colour | Excellent | Bonhams, Feb 2025 | £480 | 48% below sold |
| Speed county map (similar region), c.1640, original colour | Good | eBay, Apr 2025 | £340 | 27% below sold |
This listing represents a genuine undervaluation of a fine Speed map in exceptional condition. The £249 asking price is nearly half what a comparable example sold for at Bonhams in February 2025. The seller appears to be a general antique dealer unfamiliar with the specialist map market. We strongly recommend purchasing at the listed price without delay — a map in this condition at this price will not remain available long. Do not attempt to negotiate; the risk of losing it outweighs any modest saving.
This report was generated by i-Scout using Anthropic Claude Advanced Vision and eBay completed listing data. Valuations are estimates based on comparable sales and should not be taken as a guarantee of resale value. Authentication assessments are based on available photographs only and do not replace physical examination by a qualified specialist. There is no substitute for seeing an item in person before purchasing. i-Scout accepts no liability for purchasing decisions made on the basis of this report. Auction comparables sourced from public records. · In most circumstances you are protected by eBay's Money Back Guarantee — if an item is not as described, eBay's Buyer Protection policy generally entitles you to a full refund. · i-scout.eu · Sample report — updated monthly.