"Marca d'Ancona olim Picenum", Blaeu, (Family)

This uncommon and lovely map covers the Marche region in central Italy along the coast of the Adriatic. It locates a number of towns and cities, including Ancona (which appears in tiny plan form), Teramo, Iesi, and Urbino. The topography of the region is graphically depicted, with the Apennine Mountains especially prominent. Sailing ships fill the Adriatic. There are two decorative cartouches at bottom left, one for the title surrounded by allegorical figures, birds, and a dog, and one for the distance scale. Dutch text on verso, published between 1649-64.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #7350:2.

Condition: B+

A sharp impression with full original color, light printer's ink residue at top right, and a few tiny spots. There are centerfold separations that enter the image at top and bottom that have been closed on verso with archival tape. The sheet has some small chips and short edge tears in the blank margins, well away from the image.