"[Atlas Universel]", Robert de Vaugondy

This title page typifies the flourishing baroque and rococo style of French design and engraving that gained popularity in the latter part of the 18th century. The title is enclosed by scenes including four queens representing the continents. At lower right is Minerva who stands for Europe and wisdom. On the left are Asia with a camel and Africa holding an elephant tusk and riding a lion. America is shown as a muscular Amazon queen with a bow and quiver of arrows. The sun-god Apollo gallops across the heavens in his chariot, and a flock of adorable putti frolic around a large globe at center. Engraved by Ch. Baquoy, with lettering by J. Oger. It was common practice for the decorative engraving to be printed without the atlas title, which was printed on a separate sheet and then pasted onto the title page at the time of publication - in this case, the title and publisher's imprint is blank.

References: cf. Shirley (TP) #87.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on watermarked paper with a hint of soiling and a small abrasion at bottom left.