Catalog Archive
Auction 124, Lot 746

"Atlas, et Tables elementaires de Geographie, Ancienne et Moderne", Brion de la Tour, Louis

Subject: Atlases

Period: 1787 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
5 x 7.5 inches
12.7 x 19.1 cm
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This uncommon atlas, produced for royal military schools, is complete with 20 crisply engraved, double-page maps of the modern, ancient and biblical world. A double hemisphere world map is followed by a map of Europe, seven regional maps, four maps of the other continents, three biblical maps, a map of the Old World, followed by three detailed maps of the Roman Empire. Nineteen of the maps have bright outline color with the Plan du Temple being the lone exception. The maps have simple title cartouches, distance scales, and several include insets. Each map is followed by several pages of text describing geography, history and religion. The maps of the world and North America include an early shape for the Alaskan Peninsula. The maps were drawn by Brion, engraved by Andre and the atlas was published by J. Barbou. 98 columns of text on 49 pages. Hardbound in original marbled calf with gilt title and decorative flourishes on spine and edges of the boards.

References: Phillips (A) #5989.

Condition: B+

The text and maps are generally good with an occasional spot. A couple of maps have splits along the centerfolds, and there is some damp staining in the upper margins of most pages. The covers and spine are lightly shelf worn. The binding is sound.

Estimate: $1,700 - $2,000

Unsold

Closed on 5/7/2008

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