Piedmont.

Blaeu, Guiljelmus. Pedemontium. "Stato del Piemonte." Amsterdam Joahannes and Cornelius Blaeu. 1640
Original coloured, copper engraved map of Piedmont from volume 3 of Joan Blaeu's "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive Atlas novus. Pars Tertia" Double page; folio; Latin text to verso.
The map shows the state of Piedmont with the Alps on two sides, the course of the river Po and Turin.
Decorative title cartouche and scale. Original colour; creasing to centrefold; 2 tears to lower margin close to centrefold, repaired on verso;lightly toned a few spots to blank margins.
Koeman1, Bl 36B[223(I)] 390 by 504mm (15¼ by 19¾ inches).    €500

The Eastern Ligurian Riviera

Blaeu, Guiljelmus. Oræ Ligust. pars Orientalis "Riviera di Genova da Levante" Amsterdam Joahannes and Cornelius Blaeu. 1640
Original coloured, copper engraved map of the Ligurian coast east of Genoa from volume 3 of Joan Blaeu's "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive Atlas novus. Pars Tertia" Double page; folio; Latin text to verso.
The map shows the coast from Genoato Sarzana with the Appenines running across the map .
Decorative title cartouche; coat of arms; ships to sea. Original colour; slight crease at centre fold;Minor loss of surface to centrefold in cartouche due to adhesion; lightly toned mainly to blank margins with a couple of spots; 2 worm tracks [each approx 15mm] to edges of blank margins on both sides.
Koeman1, Bl 36B[227(P)] 393 by 500mm (15½ by 19¾ inches).    €650

The Duchy of Monferrato.

Blaeu, Guiljelmus. Montisferratum Ducatus. "Montisferrati Ducatus." Amsterdam Joahannes and Cornelius Blaeu. 1640
Original coloured, copper engraved map of Monferrato from volume 3 of Joan Blaeu's "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive Atlas novus. Pars Tertia" Double page; folio; Latin text to verso.
The map shows the area of Turin, Asti and the source of the river Po.
Decorative title and dedicatory cartouches Original colour; creasing to centrefold;adhesion with slight loss of surface at lower centre fold above Alessandria; lightly toned a few spots and worm track to edges of blank margins.
Koeman1, Bl 36B[46(M)] 375 by 476mm (14¾ by 18¾ inches).    €450

Bird's eye View of Rome.

Braun & Hogenberg. Rome. Roma. Cologne G. von Kempen 1575
Black and white, copper engraved bird's eye view of Rome from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. French text to verso.
2 figures to foreground at centre between 2 blocks with keys to the major sites.

This engraving of Rome shows the city around 1550 in its imposing setting on seven hills, surrounded by the Aurelian Walls, 19 km long and 6 m high, dating from the 3rd century. Inside the walls on the right are the ruins of Ancient Rome with the Coliseum (37), the arch of Constantine (50), the Forum Romanum (71) and the baths of Caracalla (28) on the far right. The city centre is dominated by the best-preserved work of antique architecture, namely the Pantheon (c. AD 120). In 609, under Pope Boniface VI, the round domed structure was consecrated and dedicated to the Virgin and all the Christian martyrs, and from then on became known as Santa Maria Rotunda. Further right is the Capitoline Hill with Santa Maria in Aracoeli (99) as its summit, and to the left Trajan's column (55). On the near side of the Tiber, the Vatican (left) is dominated by Hadrian's mausoleum, the Castel Sant'Angelo, in front of which appears the old St Peter's, having undergone alterations since 1506. Work on the monumental new basilica and the layout of St Peter's square would be completed as late as the 17th century, however. In the left-hand foreground appears the Papal palace (78) and in front the obelisk (43) that comes from the circus of Caligua and Nero, in which Peter was executed.(Taschen) Unrestored original condition, light toning and ocassional light spotting .
Keoman 2; B&H 13, plate 46. 335 by 490mm (13¼ by 19¼ inches).    €1500

Naples, Italy.

Braun & Hogenberg. Frans Hogenberg & Simon Novellanus Naples. "Hæc est nobolis & florens illa Neapolis, . . . " Cologne Theodori Graminæi. 1572
Copper engraved birds eye viewof Naples from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitas Orbis Terrarum. " Latin text to verso. First state.
Key to principal buildings. Dark impression; clean centrefold split from lower margin[15cm].
Keoman vol2; B&H1/47 340 by 484mm (13½ by 19 inches).    €1000

Mediterranean Ports: Cagliari, Malta, Rhodes & Famagusta.

Braun & Hogenberg. Cagler. Malte. Rodes. Famagosse. Calaris, Sardiniæ; Malta, olim Melita; Rhodus; Famagusta, civitas Cÿpri. Cologne G. von Kempen 1575
Black and white, copper engraved bird's eye views of Cagliari, Malta, Rhodes & Famagusta, 4 views on 1 plate, from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. French text to verso.
Set of four city plans, printed on a single sheet. Malta, Rhodes, Cagliari and Famagusta were all key strategic ports in the Mediterranean and in the cases of most of these, crucial sites in long conflict between Turkish and western forces. Famagusta, the principal port of Cyprus, had in 1571 just fallen to the Turkish Empire; Rhodes had been an important Hospitaller fortress, but had been held by the Turks since 1522. The remnants of the defenders retired to Malta, which is described as "the best known island of the Mediterranean Sea, which has a strongly fortified town of the same name, where in the year of 1565 the largest Turkish fleet was destroyed and the famous name was made immortal." , the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, was an important Spanish stronghold in the Western Mediterranean.

The bird's-eye view of Cagliari clearly shows the division of the city into four parts: the Castello district within the inner city wall, representing the original core, and the three partially walled suburbs of Stampax (Stampace) on the left, Gliapola facing the harbour and Nova Villa, the New Town on the right. Identified within Castello are the Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria di Castello (Bischoflich Kirch), the viceroy's palace (Kunigs Pallast) and the town hall (Rath Hauss). Founded in the 7th century BC, the city served as a major centre of commerce in antiquity. Later ravaged by pirates, in the 11th century Cagliari became part of the Kingdom of Aragon and the capital of the viceroyalty of Sardinia.

A schematic drawing shows Malta with a strongly fortified harbour. Fort St Elmo can be seen on the left, with Fort Sant'Angelo across the water to its right and the star-shaped Fort St Michael further right again. The town - indicated in the present plate - that grew up around Fort St Elmo is called Valetta: it was founded in 1566 by Jean Parisot de la Valette, Grand Master of the Order of St John. From 1530 until its conquest by Napoleontic troops in 1789, the island lay under the rule of the Knights Hospitaller, who hence also took the name of the Knights of Malta. Today Valletta is the capital of the Republic of Malta, which comprises the three islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Rhodes is presented as a circular town with a well-fortifies harbour entrance. The town is surrounded by three impressive walls. The windmills just outside the harbour on the left are typical of Greek Islands. The city of Rhodes was designed c.408 BC by Hippodamus of miletus. The Colossus of Rhodes, which represented the Greek god Helios, patron saint of Rhodes, was erected between 292 and 280 BC and numbered amongst the Seven Wonders of the World. Following the division of the Roman Empire, Rhodes formed part of the Eastern Empire and came under the varying rule of Arab occupying forces and Crusaders. From the 16th century until 1912 it belonged to the Ottoman Empire.

The bird's-eye view shows the city of Famagusta surrounded by a double set of city walls and containing private houses and the church of St Nicholas. Famagusta was founded in antiquity under the name of Arsinoe (after Arsinoe II of Egypt) and in the Middle Ages developed into an important centre of trade, where business was transacted above all between Asia, Venice and Genoa. Its geographical location made the city an important strategic base for the Crusaders. In 1374 the Genoese occupied Famagusta and held it until 1571, when it was conquered by the Ottomans.[Taschen]. Good impression; light toning and soiling; light stain near title cartouche of Malta and near R of Rhodus and A of Famagusta.
Keoman 2; B&H 13, [plate 42]. 325 by 475mm (12¾ by 18¾ inches). Each plan 160x230mm    €900

Bird's eye View of Messina

Braun & Hogenberg. Messine. Messanæ urbs est Siciie... Cologne G. von Kempen 1575
Black and white, copper engraved birds eye view of Mesina from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. French text to verso. Dark impression; light toning and soiling; Dark spots at centre fold and to title cartouche
Keoman 2; B&H 14, [plate 50]. 330 by 485mm (13 by 19 inches).    €600

Messina, Sicily.

Braun & Hogenberg. Frans Hogenberg & Simon Novellanus Messina. "Messana. " Cologne Theodori Graminæi. 1572
Copper engraved birds eye viewof Messina. Sicily, from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitas Orbis Terrarum. " Latin text to verso. First state.
Key to principal buildings. Dark impression; a couple of spots to key; crease to centre fold
Keoman vol2; B&H1/49 340 by 480mm (13½ by 19 inches).    €750

Views of Genua and Florence by Braun and Hogenberg.

Braun & Hogenberg. Gennes. Florence. Genua. Ligurium domina..
Florentia. urbs est insignis Hetruria olim Fluentia ... Cologne G. von Kempen 1575
2 black and white, copper engraved views on one plate, of Genua and Florence from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. French text to verso.
The view of Genua from the sea with numerous ships and gallea to foreground; title to sky and title and description cartouche to lower right corner.
The trading port and city of Genova is presented from an ideal, elevated viewpoint from the south. The layout of the city can be clearly seen as it slopes down to the sea. In the centre stands the Romanesque cathedral of San Lorenzo, built in the 13th century. Higher up the hillside lies the Palazzo Ducale, here still as a medieval complex from the 13th century. The approximately 80-m-high lighthouse (La lanterna) on the left is another symbol of the city. Genoa's economic importance is underlined by the volume of shipping in front of the port; the New World was discovered in 1492 by the Genoa born Columbus. 1407 saw the founding in Genoa of the Banco di San Giorgio, which lent money to various monarchs in the early modern era and thereby earned Genoa an exceptionally important position within the network of Europe's ruling houses.

The engraving shows Florence from the southwest. On the far side of the Arno, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its impressive cupola (1418-1436) by Filippo Brunelleschi soars above the roofs of the densely packed houses. Visible in front of it are the bell tower, built from 1330 to designs by Giotto, and the Baptistery (11th-12th cent.) with its magnificent bronze doors by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti (1330-1452). Behind it to the right, as a symbol of secular power, is the Palazzo della Signoria (14th cent.), today known as the Palazzo Vecchio, with its 94-m-high tower. Florence was founded as a Roman colony in Caesar's day, when it marked the intersection of two major trade routes. In the 14th and 15th centuries it developed into a city of art and culture, attracting many artists and intellectuals, including Sandro Botticelli, Galileo Gallilei, Leonardo de Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. Under the rule of the Medici family, Florence also developed into an important centre of finance and trade. With a population of around 366,000, Florence is today the capital of Tuscany. (Taschen) Dark impression; light toning; scattered spotting to upper blank margin entering view of Genua; printers creases to lower blank margin; light water stain to Florence and a couple of spots to centre fold.
Keoman 2; B&H 14, [plate 45]; Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg, p.112. 330 by 480mm (13 by 19 inches).    €1000

Bird's eye View of Naples.

Braun & Hogenberg. Naples. Hœc est noblis & florens illa Neapolis Campeniæ civitas.. Cologne G. von Kempen 1575
Black and white, copper engraved birds eye view of Naples from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. French text to verso. Un restored condition; dark impression; light toning and soiling; light staining to upper left and lower right
Keoman 2; B&H 14, [plate 48]. 335 by 480mm (13¼ by 19 inches).    €850