Show TREASURE OF BRITISH MUSEUM atla centuries old probably largest book in world bigger than any other book in the horld that Is biggee in height and breadth Is a curiously unique atlas n the british museum it contains a of the finest engraved autch maps of the stuart period and s bound in red leather beautifully ornamented with gold designs and Is secured by three massive gilt clasps ahls mighty volume measures five beet ten inches high and Is proper lona tely broad being nearly square fhe dedication page Is hand drawn ind richly illuminated it was pre dented to king charles II 11 immediate y before he left holland on his ree oration to the throne in 1660 the aly knon contemporary reference this volume Is given by john evelyn in his diary under date 1660 november 1 I 1 went with some of my elat lons to court says john evelyn to show them his majesty s cabinet nd closet of varieties there I 1 saw i vast book of mapps in a volume abere four yards large the book ame into the possession of the nation when king george III bequeathed his arary to the british museum here ae great book Is most tenderly guard d tor it Is accounted one of the 11 arary s chief treasures |