"Novum ac Magnum Theatrum Urbium Belgicae Foederatae", Blaeu, Johannes

This title page is from Blaeu's great town book of the Netherlands. This sheet introduced the volume devoted to the northern or free part of the Netherlands or United Provinces. At top, under bright sun rays, two royal lions support a crowned armorial shield with the same lion emblem triumphantly waving a sword in one paw and a bunch of arrows in the other. To the left of the title are the arms of Gelderland and Zutphen, and to the right are the shields of Holland and West Friesland. Below are five additional shields for Transisalania, Trajectum, Zeeland, Frisia, and Groninga - Omlandia. All except the latter incorporate the Dutch lion emblem in a variety of heraldic forms. Groninga's arms quarters the Hapsburg double-headed eagle, reflecting its ancestral allegiance. The Latin title was printed on a separate sheet and adhered to the engraving (as was customary during this period).

References: Shirley (TP) #49.

Condition: A

There is a soft crease at lower left and some minor paper damage in the lower left corner, well away from the image.