1105

A Complete, Boxed Set of Remarkably Detailed City Maps.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:175.00 USD Estimated At:350.00 - 550.00 USD
A Complete, Boxed Set of Remarkably Detailed City Maps.
Charming set of six oversize, folding Parisian maps, in original box, 1841, a tour de force of the cartographers' and printers' art in precision and execution - as only the French could do it. Comprehensive charts showing political, military, administrative, and ecclesiastical features. Each map comprised of 18 fine-linen-backed paper tiles, unfolding to 20 3/4 x 30 wide. Total size, when all six maps aligned, an astonishing 66 x 60 3/4 wide. Entitled, "Departement de Siene-et-Marne, / Extrait de la Carte Topographique de la France, Levee par les Officiers d'Etat - Major / et grave au Depot general de la Guerre / sous la Direction du Lt. Gen. Bos. Pelet, Pair de France, Publie Avec l'Autorisation du Ministre de la Guerre." Map sections comprise No. 1 Dammartin, No. 2 Meaux, No. 3 Melun, No. 4 Provins, No. 5 Fontainebleau, and No. 6 Montereau. Remarkable detail, lithographed in brown-black, arguably superior in fineness of texture to some of the U.S. Geological Survey maps of the past century. Tables listing population changes from 1801-36. Each map bearing exquisitely copperplate-engraved label of Charles Simonneau, "Graveur, Editeur de Cartes geographiques...Globes, Spheres, Atlas...Anciens et Modernes...," with globes at four corners; within each label is penned that map's contents. Published by Chez Kaeppelin et Cai., Paris. All enclosed in two-part box 5 1/2 x 7 3/4 x 2 deep, unusual petrified-wood-style paper over boards, lovely turquoise paper lining, gilt stamped glazed caramel calf spine labels. Original ownership label on box front, "Mr. 'Jules] Botot, membre du Conseil-general." Modern research describes him thusly: "Jules Botot, gros proprietaire a Claye, conseiller general et conseiller d'arrondissement 'roughly, 'borough councilor']...." Box with some shelf wear and rubbing, breaks at two flaps, else good plus. Maps with minor handling evidence, else in superior condition, showing little use. WorldCat locates no examples, including search for variant French conventions. Unrecorded by Bibliotheque Patrimoniale Numerique, containing a master list of 352 departmental geological, agricultural, commercial, and other maps of nineteenth-century France. Excessively rare. (6-map set in original box)