Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum or "Cities of the World" was published between 1572 and 1617. Within the six volumes, 531 towns and cities were depicted on 363 plates, providing the reader with the pleasures of travel without the attendant discomforts. Braun wrote in the preface to the third book, "What could be more pleasant than, in one's own home far from all danger, to gaze in these books at the universal form of the earth . . . adorned with the splendor of cities and fortresses and, by looking at pictures and reading the texts accompanying them, to acquire knowledge which could scarcely be had but by long and difficult journeys?" Braun and Hogenberg incorporated an astonishing wealth of information into each scene beyond the city layout and important buildings. The plates provide an impression of the economy and prominent occupations, and illustrate local costumes, manners and customs.

This is a superb bird's-eye plan of Vilnius illustrating its strategic location at a vital river crossing on the ancient east-west trade route. The large warehouse complex with numerous haus is located along the river reflecting the city's importance within the Hanseatic League. Among the mostly wooden buildings, are the masonry ancient castle (#1 on the key), imperial palace (#3), Stanislas cathedral (#4), St. John's cathedral (#14), and gothic churches of St. Anna and St. Bernard (#12). The city is completed enclosed within heavily fortified masonry walls. Braun and Hogenberg's view was likely taken from a drawing by Flemish artist, Guillebert de Lannoy, who visited the city in 1414. Much of the city had been rebuilt in stone and brick by the time this view was first published in 1581 in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum. This is the first state. Latin text on verso, published in 1581 or 1588.

References: Fussel, pp. 257, 260-61; Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #4715.

Condition: B

A nice impression with full contemporary color on a watermarked sheet with light toning and damp staining. There are archival repairs to a centerfold separation that enters 5" into the image at bottom, an adjacent 2" tear, and a tear that enters less than 1" into the image at bottom right. There is a short centerfold separation at top, a few small chips and tears along the edges of the sheet, and remnants of hinge tape on verso.