Topographia Galliæ – Zeiller & Merian – 1662 | Guienne Maps & Descriptions

Topographia Galliae is a series of illustrated geography and topography books by Martin Zeiler and Matthaus Merian. It was designed to describe cities and towns in 17th-century France and includes incredible double-page maps. This particular section covers Southwestern France and the province of Guienne and Gascogne. It covers Xainctonge, Périgord, Gascogne, Armagnac, Bigorre, Comminges, and Agenois, as well as coastal towns such as Labourd. The large, double-page map of the environs is particularly desirable.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [Topographia Galliæ ; dat is: een algemeene en naeukeurighe landt en plaets-beschryvinge van het machtige koninckrijck Vranckryck…] Guyenne; de graefschappen Xainctonge, Perigord, Gascogne, Armagnac, Bigorre, Comminges en Agenois, het vorstendom Bearn ende de landen van Basadois,
• Author(s): Martin Zeiller; Kaspar Merian
• Illustrator(s): Matthäus Merian
• Publisher: Amsterdam, Joost Broersz. en Casper Merian
• Edition: 1662. First edition.
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Binding: Green leather spine over marbled boards
• Size:  12.5 in x 8.5 in (31.7 cm x 21.6 cm)
• Collation: pp. 45–196
• Illustrations: One engraved double-page map +  other engraved city views
• Contents Include:
  • Textual overview of southern French provinces and jurisdictions
  • Double-page engraved map of Guienne and Gascogne
  • Descriptions of political divisions, towns, and settlements

Condition:

Good. Binding solid though visibly aged. Green leather spine moderately worn, gilt title faded. Marbled boards show wear at corners. Text block tight. Pages toned, margins clean. Double-page map folded, intact with original crease.

Why Collect This?

• 11 folding and full-page engravings – maps and city views of French towns
• An uncommon Dutch-language topography printed outside of France

Item Number: #29136