"Ville Cite et Universite de Paris", Dheulland, Guillaume

This enormous bird's-eye plan of Paris is oriented with north to the left. The plan depicts the city of Paris under the reign of Charles IX, and was based on a tapestry that hung in the Hotel de Ville. Numerous streets and buildings are identified throughout. The map is adorned with the royal coat of arms and the arms of Paris. At left is a lengthy description of the city, along with notes on the plan. This plan was original published in 1766, and the copper plate found its way into the collection of the Louvre Museum in Paris after the French Revolution. The original copper plate was reprinted in limited quantities in the early 20th century by the Louvre on heavy wove paper with a blind stamp of "Chalcographie Musee Louvre," which appears in the bottom margin at center. As explained on the Louvre Museum's website: "The 'Chalcographie' section (prints and engravings) sells prints issued by the Réunion des Musées Nationaux, taken from the museum's collection of original copper plates dating from the 17th century to the present day, including architectural views, landscapes, seascapes, botanical prints, portraits, religious and decorative subjects, and contemporary art. All are produced by hand on a copper plate press and bear the stamp of the 'Chalcographie du Louvre.'" The Chalcography of the Louvre possesses over 13,000 copper plates, many of which have been reprinted at one time or another. This bird's-eye plan is no longer available from the Louvre Museum.

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Condition: B+

Light toning with minor soiling and three short edges tears, all far from image, that have been closed with masking tape. There are remnants of paper tape along top edge of sheet on verso.