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

Bird's eye View of Antient Rome.

Braun & Hogenberg. Rome. Urbis Romae Situs cum iis quae adhuc Conspiciuntur Veter. Monumet Reliquiis. Pyrrho Ligorio Neap. Invent Romae M.D.LXX. Cologne G. von Kempen 1575
Black and white, copper engraved bird's eye view of Antient Rome from the second volume of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. French text to verso.
The view by Pyrrhus Ligorious of Naples shows the Ancient city of Rome enclosed within the walls with all the major antiquities named. 2 Roman soldiers and a woman in lower right foreground. Unrestored original condition, light toning and occasional light spotting [ one darker near the Horta d'Consaga; printers crease entering plate [2.5cm] by the figures.
Keoman 2; B&H 14, [plate 49]. 380 by 503mm (15 by 19¾ inches).    €1000

The Famous Bird's eye View Of Venice.

Braun & Hogenberg. Venise Venetia. Cologne G. von Kempen 1575
Black and white, copper engraved town plan of Venice from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's Civitas Orbis Terrarum. French text to verso.

The detailed engraving shows the city its buildings and extensive network of bridges and canals. The view shows important landmarks. Among them are the Piazza San Marco, with its famous basilica, Campanile (bell tower) and tall columns supporting statues of the Lion of Venice and St. Theodore. The many small islands surrounding the city are also depicted and labeled, such as the Island of San Giorgio with its Palladian church and monastery as well as Murano, where glass-making workshops were located. Ships, boats and gondolas traverse the waterways.

Below the view, a vignette illustrates a procession of the Doge of Venice (chief magistrate and government official) accompanied by other officials, each labeled with their title or role. On either side of the vignette, a numbered key corresponding to numbers on the view lists 35 principal canals and over 125 palaces, churches, convents, monasteries, bridges, hospitals and another important structures. These include the Arsenal, the bridge over the Rialto Canal and the location of the Jewish ghetto. Unrestored original condition, light toning and soiling; light spots near titleat centre fold and in Lagoon nearr S.Lazaro.
Keoman 2; B&H 13, plate 44]. 335 by 484mm (13¼ by 19 inches).    €2500

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

Tuscany and the Church States in 2 Sheets.

Covens, Jean & Mortier, Corneille. Estat du Grand duc de Toscane & Estates de L'Eglise Estats de L'Eglise et de Toscane.

Amsterdam. Covens et Mortier c1741
Copper engraved map on 2 sheets of the Church States and Tuscany from Covens & Mortier's " Nieuwe Atlas, Inhoudennde vier Gedeeltens der Waereld.. " Original full wash colour; verso blank.
The large map shows printed on 2 sheets shows Central Italy with her islands Capri, Elba &c and part of Corsica.
Large decorative title cartouche to right sheet; scale to left sheet. [ further scale printed to bank margin of right sheet ] with title above. Dark impression; bright full wash colour; printed on heavy paper; light toning; damp stain to upper and lower right corners of both sheets.
Koeman I: C&M 11: (92),88. 556 by 446mm (22 by 17½ inches). each sheet. total map if joined 556x 892mm.    €700

Italy.

Covens, Jean & Mortier, Corneille. Nova Italæ Descriptio, in Regna, Respublicas et Status Divisæ.. Ad usum Serenissimi Burgundiæ Ducis. L'Italie.

Amsterdam. Covens et Mortier c1741
Copper engraved map of Italy from Covens & Mortier's " Nieuwe Atlas, Inhoudennde vier Gedeeltens der Waereld.. " Original full wash colour; verso blank.
The map shows the whole peninsular of Italy with the coast of Dalmatia, the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, with part of the coast of Tunisia and Algeria.
Decorative title cartouche and scale. Dark impression; bright full wash colour; printed on heavy paper; light stain to upper left and right corners of blank margins.
Koeman I: C&M 8:69, [C&M 10] 502 by 601mm (19¾ by 23¾ inches).    €500

Piedmont and Montferrat in 2 Sheets.

Covens, Jean & Mortier, Corneille. Piedmont & Montferrat. Carte du Piemont et du Monferrat Dressée sur plusieurs Cartes, Manuscrites ou Imprimées ... Par Guillaume De l'Isle
[ Partie Meridionale du Piemont et Monferrat. Par Guilliame De l'Isle de l'Academie Royales des Sciences] Amsterdam. Covens et Mortier c1741
Copper engraved map on 2 sheets of Piedmont & Monferrat from Covens & Mortier's " Nieuwe Atlas, Inhoudennde vier Gedeeltens der Waereld.. " Original full wash colour; verso blank.
Decorative title cartouche and strapwork cartouche to Advertisement with scale below to upper sheet; Lower sheet with additional title to upper blank margin; scale to lower left ; Inset plan of environs of Nice to lower right. Dark impression; bright full wash colour; printed on heavy paper; light toning;
Koeman I: C&M 8:70,71. 485 by 635mm (19 by 25 inches). lower sheet: 501x635mm.    €800

Sicily.

Covens, Jean & Mortier, Corneille. Sicily & Malta. Carte du de L'Isle et Royaume de Sicilie. Par Guilliame De l'Isle de l'Academie Rle. des Sciences.
Carte Particuliere de L'Isle de MaLTE ET DES iSLES vOISINNES Amsterdam. Covens et Mortier c1741
Copper engraved map of Sicily from Covens & Mortier's " Nieuwe Atlas, Inhoudennde vier Gedeeltens der Waereld.. " Original full wash colour; verso blank.
The map shows the Island of Sicily with inset map of Malta and Gozo to lower left Dark impression; bright full wash colour; printed on heavy paper; light toning; light damp stain to upper corners just touching printed area; light spot to lower blank margin.
Koeman I: C&M8:77. 485 by 587mm (19 by 23 inches).    €650

The Duchy of Milan.

Covens, Jean & Mortier, Corneille. Le Duche de Milan dans touts son Estendue, divisé en ses Principales Partes, avec les Estates et Frontieres qui L'Environment Le Duche de Milan dans touts son Estendue, divisée en ses Principales Partes, avec les Estates et Frontieres qui l'environment...

Amsterdam. Covens et Mortier c1741
Copper engraved map of the Duchy of Milan from Covens & Mortier's " Nieuwe Atlas, Inhoudennde vier Gedeeltens der Waereld.. " Original full wash colour; verso blank.
The large map shows the full extent of the Duchy of Milan. It appears to be a reworking of de Wit's map of the same area, with a different title.
Decorative title cartouche and scale. Dark impression; bright full wash colour; printed on heavy paper; light toning; light damp stain to upper left corner, entering plate. Upper margin and title shaved, lower margin shaved to plate mark. Paper extended to left and extra fold to fit in atlas.
Koeman I: C&M 535 by 682mm (21 by 26¾ inches).    €450

Piedmont & Monferrato, Northern Italy.

Magini, Giovanni Antonio (1555-1617). Piedmont. "Piemonte et Monferrato.." Bologna. Sebastiano Bonomi for the author. 1632
Copper engraved map of Piedmont & Monferrato from Magini's "Italia, data in luce da Fabio suo figliuolo." Original old outline colour; verso blank with old ink map number to upper corner.
Decorative title cartouche with dedication to" Caterina Medici Gonzaga Duchessa di Mantua et di Monferrato etc.".
Above the scale in lower right corner is a box indicating that the rest of the area (Piedmont) can be found on the map entitled "Liguria da Ponente". Good impression; some spotting to margins; old repair of paper loss to edge of right margin.
Graesse IV, 336; Nordenskiold 2 137; Shirley BL, T.MAG-1a. 382 by 480mm (15 by 19 inches).    €500