The Loire Valley of France: A 17th C. Hand-Colored Map by Sanson and Jaillot, 1692

Description

This large 17th century copper plate hand-colored engraved map entitled "Gouvernement D'Orleans et la Generalite divisee en ses Elections Par … more This large 17th century copper plate hand-colored engraved map entitled "Gouvernement D'Orleans et la Generalite divisee en ses Elections Par le Sanson" was originally created by Nicholas Sanson d'Abbeville and published by Hubert Jaillot in "Atlas Nouveau" in Paris in 1693. It depicts the Loire Valley region of France. Chambort, Fontainbleau, the Loire River and many other landmarks are included. There is an ornate title cartouche in the right upper corner. A young male in the upper left lies on his back, drinking from a jug, presumably wine. A young male at the top on the right is sleeping in front of another liquid vessel, possibly after drinking too much wine. A royal coat-of-arms sits between the two figures. Bunches of grapes are aligned about the periphery of the cartouche. The Loire Valley was already known for its wine in the 17th century. A draped scale cartouche is in the left upper corner.
The map consists of two sheets joined as one along a vertical joint. The map has original hand-coloring. 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 are several spots and some discoloration at the periphery of the margins. There is some irregularity of the left and right edges of the sheet. There is a repaired tear in the lower margin to the right of the central vertical joint. The map itself is in very good condition.\ less