"Cestria Vulgo Chester", Waesberger, Johann

This scarce and detailed engraving is derived from Braun & Hogenberg's plan view of the city of Chester on the banks of the River Dea. Based on the survey of William Smith, the bird's-eye plan shows the prominent Norman castle, walled defenses, and central cathedral. The original rectangular Roman Legion settlement of Deva is still evident at the heart of the city. Dramatic coats-of-arms, strapwork cartouches, and livestock grazing in the surrounding fields add decoration to the interesting plan. Blank verso.

This view was originally created by Braun & Hogenberg and published in the third volume of their Civitates Orbis Terrarum, beginning in 1581. Jansson acquired the plates in 1653 and republished many of them in a series of atlases of town maps and plans, some with alterations. The heirs of Johannes Janssonius van Waesberghe, Jansson's son-in-law, published a town book mostly consisting of Jansson's plates in 1682; this example comes from the second volume of this work. In this plate, Jansson changed the title cartouche and removed the costumed figures in the foreground; otherwise, the fine detail and charm of the original are maintained.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #874, st. 2.

Condition: B+

On a lightly toned sheet with light offsetting, a minor horizontal extraneous crease, and a few tiny wormholes that are only visible when held up to light. There is a centerfold separation just entering the map border at top that has been closed on verso with archival tape.