Original antique city map BRUSSELS BRUXELLES BRUXELLA, Braun & Hogenberg, c.1572 - $750 - (Ilkley, ENG)

A superb copper-plate engraved view of Brussels from Braun & Hogenberg’s seminal work, ‘Civitates Orbis Terrarum’ published in Cologne from 1572. This example is from a Latin text edition, and is on hand-laid, watermarked paper. The hand-coloured plan shows the fortified city and the surrounding area, and has a 56 point Key (left side of the sheet) identifying the main buildings and landmarks. It is decorated with coat of arms in each of the top corners and has a decorative title cartouche (bottom right) in Latin which translates as follows: ‘Brussels is a very well-know city due to its large number of courtiers, its copious springs, the magnificence of its princely court and its town hall and many other things. And as Ausonius says of his Burdegala: rich with a mild climate and well-irrigated soil. The inhabitants, particularly the women, display their riches through their dress. The most magnificent church is St Gudula’s, still distinguished by its college of canons (according to Ha. Barlandus).’ There is a further Latin description of the city verso. The printed area measures approximately 470mm x 325mm with small margins beyond, Latin text verso. Condition report: Excellent condition; light age toning as is to be expected; small pinprick sized hole at the top of the centrefold just inside the printed area which is only visible when the sheet is held up to the light; tape residue to the edges of the sheet verso from where the map has previously been mounted and framed; small manuscript letter 'p' below the text verso. Please study the photographs carefully to get a full understanding of the condition.

Posted in Ilkley, ENG, Antiques
From ebay.com - 1 month ago