"Basilaea Basel", Merian, Matthaus

A very detailed bird's-eye view of the fortified city of Basel. The city is strategically situated on a great bend in the Rhine River where the borders of Switzerland, France and Germany meet. The view provides great details of the individual streets, buildings, bridges, towers, churches, gardens and the busy river traffic. A compass orients north to the top left of the sheet, and the city's coat of arms is at top right. French text on verso.

This rare view is not to be confused with Merian's more common smaller view of the city, which is drawn with north to the bottom right of the sheet.

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Condition: A

A sharp impression with very minor soiling.