cl679 GREENE, Robert (with BERRY, William)
Robert Greene (fl.
1673-1688) was a mapseller, printer and publisher. He was apprenticed to John
Garrett of the Merchant Taylors in 1652 where his papers record he was from
Stallbridge in Dorset. The antiquarian Robert Hooke records a visit to his shop
in Budge Row in 1675. In 1679 he issued the first map of Scotland to show roads
and in 1682 a handsome map of England and Wales engraved by Francis Lamb.
When
Greene died relatively early, in 1688, he left his tools, plates, stock etc.,
to his son Nathan. However, it was his daughter, Elizabeth, who continued the
business for a while before Philp Lea acquired the plates.[1]
Robert Greene also
published a double-hemisphere map of the world, which has been praised as possibly
the earliest world map engraved and published in England to include a set of
polar hemispheric projections. In a time when most decorative world maps were
copied from one or two Dutch models, Greene's map stands out as an original
work. Additionally, Greene's map is also one of the earliest world maps
published in England to show the coastline of New Zealand.[2]
The
map of Scotland published by Robert Greene and William Berry is important as
the first map of Scotland to show roads. The map was first advertised in the
Term Catalogue in 1679 and the first state bore the imprint of both Robert
Greene and William Berry. It was engraved by Francis Lamb. Greene was a map
seller, as opposed to a maker such as Berry, and could also supply a printing
press to the relationship. The cartouche describes Greene’s shop as a place
“Where you may have all sorts of Mapps.”
A
second state bears the imprint of Greene only. It was issued sometime before
1689 when it was advertised by his eldest sister Elizabeth. This second state
dates from before his death which was recorded 12 February 1688. As he was a
widower the business was left to his son Nathan but was under age, hence the
business was left in the care of his eldest sister Elizabeth.[3]
Greene
also produced a handsome map of England and Wales in 1682.
.png)
A New Map of Scotland With the Roads. By Rob: Greene at the Rose and
Crown in Budg-row And by W: Berry at the Globe at Chering Cross. Title in baroque oval
flanked by a soldier with sword and a farmer with wheat sheaf. Below to each
side are water nymphs. The royal coat of arms centrally at top. Signature is
above bottom border F Lamb Sculp. (1679). (NLS Illustrated).
Size: 545 x 465 mm.
Second state By Robert Greene at the Rose and Crown in
Budg-row, Where you may have all sorts of Mapps., (1685). (CAB illustrated).
Comments
Post a Comment