Catalog Archive
Auction 124, Lot 538

"Danubius, Fluvius Europae Maximus, a Fontibus ad Ostia, cum Omnibus Fluminibus, ab Utroque Latere, in Illum Defluentibus", Blaeu, Willem

Subject: Southeastern Europe

Period: 1635 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
38 x 16 inches
96.5 x 40.6 cm
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This dramatic map depicts the course of the river Danube and the surrounding countries from its headwaters in the Black Forest of southern Germany to its mouth on the Black Sea. The river flows through a series of broad and fertile valleys with several of eastern Europe's most important cities on its banks. This is one of Blaeu's largest atlas maps, printed on two joined sheets. The extravagant title cartouche is flanked by the Holy Roman Emperor and Europa on one side and the Ottoman Sultan and Asia on the other, representing the long struggle between the two powers for control of the region. The scale of miles is attended by an assortment of muscular river gods and putti representing the mighty river and its tributaries.

References:

Condition: A

A nice impression with beautiful old color. There is a light stain in the right margin that just touches the border and a couple of paper reinforcements in the lower margin, well away from the map.

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,500

Sold for: $850

Closed on 5/7/2008

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