"[Facsimile - 6 Volumes] Beschreibung und Contrafactur der Vornembster Stat der Welt", Braun & Hogenberg

Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum or "Cities of the World" was published between 1572 and 1617. Within the six volumes, 531 towns and cities were depicted on 363 plates, providing the reader with the pleasures of travel without the attendant discomforts. Braun wrote in the preface to the third book, "What could be more pleasant than, in one's own home far from all danger, to gaze in these books at the universal form of the earth . . . adorned with the splendor of cities and fortresses and, by looking at pictures and reading the texts accompanying them, to acquire knowledge which could scarcely be had but by long and difficult journeys?" Braun and Hogenberg incorporated an astonishing wealth of information into each scene beyond the city layout and important buildings. The plates provide an impression of the economy and prominent occupations, and illustrate local costumes, manners and customs.

This extraordinary facsimile edition reproduces all six volumes of the German edition of Braun and Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum. It is apparently complete, with 363 facsimile engravings showing the cities of the world. The city plans are printed in full color on individual sheets designed to appear antique, with descriptive German text on verso. Each volume is housed in an elephant folio tan cloth clamshell box with a faux-leather label on the spine, and all include a corresponding catalogue by Max Schefold with black soft covers and gilt titles on cover. Volumes I-IV each include 59 plates; Volume V has 69; and Volume VI has 58. Published by Muller und Schindler.

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Condition: B+

The plates are in very good condition. The clamshell boxes have bumped corners and are slightly bowed, with minor to light soiling and slightly frayed edges on the labels. The lower corner of the lid of Volume IV is slightly torn.