3. John Speed, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine … As also A Prospect of the most Famous Parts of the World (London, 1676).

The English historian and cartographer John Speed (1552–1629) first published his maps of the counties of Britain and Ireland in 1611, and in 1627 he published an atlas of the world.

This 1676 book incorporates Speed’s two great works into one beautifully printed atlas.

There are at least 54 surviving copies of this book spread across the world. Our copy was stolen in 1976. The thief was caught red-handed by a member of An Garda Siochána who was on patrol outside the Library, and received a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment.