"[Toonneel der Steden van 's Konings Nederlanden]", Blaeu, (Family)

This title page is from Blaeu's great town book of the Netherlands. This sheet introduced the volume devoted to the southern provinces that were still under Spanish domination. At top, under bright sun rays, two lions support the complex and imposing Spanish royal arms girdled by the Golden Fleece. To the left of the title are the arms of Brabank and Luxemburg, and to the right are the shields of Limburg and Flanders. Below are five additional shields for Antwerp, Hannonia, Artesia, Namur and Mechelin. This unusual example does not have the title pasted onto the sheet, as was customary during this period. It is possible that it became detached at some point or that it was never issued. There is a brown ink, manuscript notation attributing the sheet with the year 1648 written in the bottom margin.

References: Shirley (TP) #49A.

Condition: B+

The sheet is soiled, mostly in the blank margins, with the manuscript notations as described.