"Paleologi Imperatores Constantinopolitani, et Marchiones Montisferrati...", Albizzi, Antonio

This elaborate engraving is from Albizzi's Principum Christianorum Stemmata, which documented the genealogy of various noble families in Europe during the 17th century. Presented here as plate 22 is the family tree of the Paleologosis, the last dynasty of the Byzantine Empire. The elaborate tree is presented on a cliff high above the city of Constantinople (Istanbul). The first crown is that of Alexios III Angelos, who died in 1203, while the last crown belonged to Vincenzo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, who ruled from 1587 until his death in 1612. Various family offshoots are named in small boxes, some of which are marked with the imperial crown. Decorated by an elegant strapwork title cartouche and coat of arms.

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Condition: B+

A dark impression on watermarked paper. There is some minor old tape residue on verso that shows through on recto along the centerfold at right.