A beautiful pair of regional maps of France by Ortelius

Description

These two maps on the one sheet show two regions in central France.

The left map depicts the historical region of Berry, in the present-day Centre-Val de Loire region (Indre and Cher departments). It is centred on its capital Bourges. At the top right, the Loire River is depicted between the cities of Nevers and Gien. Clearly distinguishable are further present-day Salbris, Romorantin-Lanthenay, Vierzon, Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, La Charité-sur-Loire, Issodun, Châteauroux, Lignières, La Châtre, Aigurande, Hérisson, and Montluçon, to name but a few.

The right map illustrates the Limagne plain in the historical Auvergne region, located in the valley of the Allier River. It is part of the present-day Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (Puy-de-Dôme, Allier, and Haute-Loire departments). The map follows the flow of the Allier from Orcet in the south to Randan in the north. Among other, present-day Clermont-Ferrand and Beauregard-l'Évêque are easy to identify.

The maps feature pictorial representation of relief, vegetation, and settlements, with countless placenames provided.

Each map is adorned with a decorative strapwork title cartouche, with the map of Berry also showing the historical coat of arms of the Kingdom of France.

Both maps contain a distance scale as well.

Spanish text on verso.

An attractive historical depiction of a part of central France.

Publication

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Note: The present example of the map is from a Spanish edition, published c. 1584-1612.

Condition

Very good.

Printed on watermarked paper, folding. Beautiful colouring throughout. Faint show-through of text on verso. Minor professional reinforcement with archival paper along lower left edge. A few faint stains, contained to blank margins.

Item #: 00203

US $300.00

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