Constaninople, Turkey.

Braun & Hogenberg. Frans Hogenberg & Simon Novellanus Constantinopolis. "Byzantium nunc Constantinopolis. " Cologne Theodori Graminæi. 1572
Copper engraved birds-eye view of Constantinople from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitas Orbis Terrarum. " Latin text to verso. First state.
The view shows Constantinople under the Ottomans shortly after the death Of Suliman the Magnificent in 1566, including all the new buildings. including the Seraglio. Topkapi and the various mosques,
In the foreground are twelve medallions with eleven portraits of the Ottoman sultans. the last medallion is blank. [in the second state this occupied by a portrait of Murad the 3rd ] Dark impression. some light toning; repaired tear 8cm at left margin entering the image for 6cm; printers crease; light waterstaining to blank margins; minorstain to centre of image.
Having said all this the plate is in its raw state from the atlas, the repaired tear is old and does not stand out, a light washing is all that is needed.

The "Civitas Orbis Terrarum" of Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg was the first systemstic city atlas, possible intended to compliment the "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum "of Abraham Ortelius published in 1570.

There is strong evidence that Braun, Hogenberg and Ortelius discussed the planned work, although some scholars believe it was influenced by Sabastien Munster's "Cosmographia"
R A Skelton in his introduction to the facsimile edition [ 1965] puts the case f for the "Theatrum " of Ortelius being the model for the work ( "(it) is made abundantly clear by the similarity between the two works in title, in format and in the layout and serial order of the plates and text"
First publishe in 1572 in Cologne just two years after Ortelius' " Theatrum" it was published in six volumes in the years between 1572 and 1617.
Georg Braun [1541-1622], Canon of Cologne Cathedral wrote the preface for all but the last volume and also the text accompanying each plan or view on the verso.
The plates were engraved by Frans Hogenberg and Simon Novellanus after the original drawings of Joris Hoefnagel[1542-1600] who travelled with Ortelius through Italy and also made extensive travels through France Spain and England
Following the death of Frans Hogenberg the plates were engraved by Abraham Hogenberg, believed to be his son.
Jacob Hoefnagel continued the work of his father following his death, particularly the Austrian and Hungarian cities. Other notable contributers were Heinrich Rantzau with maps and plans of northern Europe, especially Denmark and Jacob van Deventer's plans of cities in the Netherlands. .

Braun corresponded with mapsellers and scholars throughout the world and it was his idea to include the figures of local inhabitants in the foreground of the plans and views, This was not just to add "Local colour" but believing the work could be of refence for Military use, particularly by the Turks. the insertion of images of the human form. specifically forbidden by Islam, was intended to prevent this.
Keoman vol2; B&H1/51 329 by 485mm (13 by 19 inches).   ref: 1633  €2000