A map I tripped across recently. It's a map done by John Speed, of the County or Warwick, for use in his Atlas, published in 1611. This is a later printed copy but Im not sure of the date. It was framed as I found it, and the sheet measures approx. 16.5 x 21.75 inches.
It was framed in a frame shop in the UK, as a light stamp on the back, right corner shows. The frame is a black and gold gilt frame with glass & the framing tape is secure all the way around, along with the old style twisted hanging wire attached with small eye screws on either side. The backing board is held on with nails around the perimeter, that are covered with the brown, paper tape.
When I found this, and was looking at it under the light and at a slight angle, I could see that there appeared to be columns of printed text on the back of the map, as I could see the impressions of the lettering. After doing a little more research, I discovered that what is on the reverse is a listing of the various towns and cities in Warwick and Leicestershire, as shown on the map. Because I havent decided to open the frame yet and look first hand, I found an image online, that shows this text.
Based on the type of frame, frame construction, glass and even the paper toning, this piece was probably framed in the early part of the last century. When the map was actually printed, Ive idea, at this point. I know it's not anything close to new, and the impressed text on the back (rather than it being a modern jet print,where the ink lays on the paper) also has be curious as to its age.
I thought it was beautiful, I really like the old world style, and it was a real bargain, so I snagged it.
This shot sort of shows one area of the raised text and columns printed on the back:
