Galliae Amplissimi Regni tabula.
[Map of the Kingdom of Gaul at its greatest extent]
Antwerp: CONINX, Arnold, 1593
Size (neatline): 45.1 x 30.8 cm / 17.8 x 12.1 in
Size (sheet): 55.2 x 39.1 cm / 21.7 x 15.4 in
Technique: Copper engraving
Colour: Hand coloured
Verso: Latin text
Condition: Very good
A scarce map of France from one of the rarest atlases ever published
Description
This elegant, detailed 1593 map of Gaul appeared only in the Speculum orbis terrae, the second and final edition of Gerard and Cornelis de Jode’s atlas first published in 1578 in Antwerp, then as Speculum orbis terrarum.
While the map title refers to it as a kingdom, Gaul was an ancient region in Western Europe, controlled for a long time by the Romans, before falling to the Franks, and eventually morphing into the Kingdom of France, though then occupying a smaller territory.
The map shows Gaul extending across present-day France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as parts of the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. It features pictorial representation of relief, vegetation, towns, and cities, with countless contemporary placenames provided. The lakes and seas are stippled, with one sailing ship adorning the southern end of the North Sea and another – the Bay of Biscay.
At top right, the map is embellished with a decorative large strapwork title cartouche, with a smaller cartouche beneath it holding three distance scales.
The Speculum is rare primarily due to its limited publication because of likely deliberate suppression. Although considered cartographically superior, the atlas struggled commercially because Gerard de Jode’s competitor Abraham Ortelius held an eight-year publishing monopoly, delaying its initial release until 1578, with the second edition published by Gerard’s son Cornelis in 1593, following his father’s death in 1591. After Cornelis’ death in 1600, the atlas plates were sold to publisher Joan Baptista Vrients – who had also acquired Ortelius’ plates – and were never used again. Vrients likely bought them solely to eliminate competition, favouring Ortelius’ plates instead and ensuring no further editions of De Jode material were printed. As a result, few copies survive, making the atlas exceptionally scarce today.
Latin text on verso.
A rare and meticulously crafted map showing much of Western Europe at the end of the 16th century.
Publication
Speculum orbis terrae [1593]
Condition
Very good.
A sharp impression on watermarked paper. Issued folding, now flattened, with centrefold professionally reinforced on verso. Beautiful colouring throughout. Light marginal soiling. Professional repair to two chips in bottom blank margin.
Item #: 02264
US $1,200.00