This
beautifully hand coloured
original antique map of the northern Cantons of
Switzerland, Zurich & Basel
was published in the rare
1636 English edition of Mercator's Atlas, by Henricus Hondius and Jan Jansson.
As there were so
few of these atlases published with English text on the
verso that maps from
them are now understandably scarce.
The map encompasses an area along the Rhine River north
from Basel, south to Zurich & Lake Zurich, east into
western Austria and as far west to the city of Solothurn.
The text running for
two pages on the verso of this map describes the
region or country name, history (as it was),
temperature, seasons, soil and agricultural
productivity. Also described is the topography,
wildlife, local inhabitants their culture and religion,
as well as a description of major European and local
towns and cities. This text makes extremely enjoyable
reading and a very good insight not only into the area
described but the general European attitudes towards
alien countries and cultures.
(Ref: Koeman; M&B; Tooley)
Condition Report:
Paper
thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, pink, green
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 22in x 18 1/2in (560mm x 470mm)
Plate size: - 18 1/2in x 14in (470mm x 355mm)
Margins: - Min 1in (25mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - Uniform age toning
Plate area: - Uniform age toning, light uplift along
centerfold
Verso: - Bottom centerfold re-joined, no loss
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