Catalog Archive
Auction 142, Lot 5

"De Bello Belgico Decas Prima Famiani Stradae Rom. Soc. Jesu", Strada, Famiamo, S.J.

Subject: Title Pages - Low Countries

Period: 1632 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
8.8 x 12.4 inches
22.4 x 31.5 cm
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The most famous of all cartographic curiosities is the Leo Belgicus, in which the Low Countries were depicted in the form of a lion. This curious form of cartography is one of the highpoints in the Golden Age of mapmaking. Based on the original 1583 Aitsinger form with the lion standing facing right with a paw raised and holding a shield. This is the largest of the Famianus Strada versions, used as a frontispiece for part two of his pro-Spanish and pro-Catholic book on the Dutch war of independence. It is beautifully engraved with a stippled sea filled with ships and a sea monster. While the miniature Leo Belgicus maps are occasionally found on the market, the larger ones are quite rare.

References: Tooley (MCC-7) #15.

Condition: A

A nice impression with one small worm hole at center.

Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000

Sold for: $4,500

Closed on 11/28/2012

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