Southern Greece: A Large 17th Century Hand-Colored Map by Sanson and Jaillot, 1692

Description

This large original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of southern Greece and the Pelopponese Peninsula entitled "La Moree Et Les Isles … more This large original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of southern Greece and the Pelopponese Peninsula entitled "La Moree Et Les Isles De Zante, Cefalonie, Ste. Marie, Cerigo & C. Dresse Sur Les Memoires Les Plus Nouveaux, Par Le Sr. Sanson" was originally created by Nicholas Sanson d'Abbeville and published by Hubert Jaillot in "Atlas Nouveau" in Paris in 1692. It depicts the Pelopponese Peninsula extending southward from just north of the gulf of Corinth and includes the Ionian islands of Levkada, Kefalonia, Zakinthos and Kythera. A decorative title cartouche in the left lower corner includes a victory wreath of olive branches and topped by a royal coat-of-arms held by two young angels. At the bottom the Lion of Venice sits triumphant above the crescent of the Ottoman Turk, suspended in the clouds. The wreath is surrounded by 12 vignette plans of the ports and castles captured by the Venetians. Moree or Morea was the name of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. The name was used for the Byzantine province known as the Despotate of the Morea, by the Ottoman Empire for the Morea Eyalet, and by the Republic of Venice for the short-lived Kingdom of the Morea.

This large original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of southern Greece and the Pelopponese peninsula consists of two sheets joined as one along a vertical joint. It is printed on antique hand-made laid, chain-linked paper with wide margins. The sheet measures 24.88" high and 38" wide. There is a central vertical joint, as issued. There is a repaired tear in the lower margin to the right of the central vertical fold and mild color offset resulting from contact with the color on the opposite sides of the map over hundreds of years in the atlas. The map is otherwise in very good to excellent condition. less