739   Antique Atlas Print by John Ogilby. (1600-1675) "His Majesty's Cosmographer and Geographick Printer."

Having had to resort to selling trinkets at the age of twelve to support himself and his mother, John Ogilby won a small lottery prize and freed his father from debtor's prison. He purchased an apprenticeship with a dancing master and did quite well, eventually setting up his own school.

Unfortunately, Ogilby injured himself dancing at a ball for the King and was unable to dance again. At the behest of the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Viscount Wentworth, Ogilby went to Ireland to help establish a court culture in Dublin similar to that being enjoyed in London. However, after a few years as Master of the Revels, he left after almost being blown up in the Irish Rebellion in October of 1641. Upon his homeward journey to England he endured being shipwrecked only to return penniless and without a patron, Wentworth having been executed.

He spent the next four years in Cambridge working on translations of the Bible and the classics of Virgil, Homer and Aesop. The Restoration of Charles II brought favor back to Ogilby with a commission to help in the arrangements for the coronation in 1660 with the composing of speeches and songs.

Disaster struck John Ogilby's family and countless others with the Great Fire that raged through London in 1666. However, John and his step-son, William received a commission from the Lord Mayor and were appointed 'sworn' Viewers or surveyors for the preparation of a map of the City of London. The map was published ten years later by William Ogilby on a scale of twenty-five inches to the mile and measured 9 x 7 feet. Ogilby established a thriving printing house and was appointed "King's cosmographer and geographic printer." His most important publications were engravings of maps and atlases, including Africa (1670), America (1671), Asia (1673), and a road atlas of Britain (1675).

"CALLAO de LIMA", Hand colored, 14 x 12", circa 1671, London. A beautiful print depicting the coastline.
Matted and archivally framed to an overall size of 22 x 19". Visible centerfold. Minor spotting. Fine.
Estimated Value $300-500.