Italy, Rome, Lazio, Tuscany, Abruzzo... W. Blaeu, 1635, Stato della Chiesa con la Toscana

Beautiful 17th century map of the central part of Italy. Decorated with two cartouches, two compass roses and sailing ships.

It is the second version of the map of the Papal States by Willem J. & Johannes Blaeu, with the compass rose added in the upper right. Graduated at the edges in 2' increments, but only in the direction of latitude (from 41° 16' to 45°). Oriented with a compass rose. It contains a scale in cursive miles, drawn vertically in a column cartouche, which also contains the name of the author (engraved at the bottom) and is surmounted by two winged cherubs holding a long staff with the papal standard. In a second version of the map, a second compass rose appears in the upper right corner; four sailing ships have been added, two in the lower left and two in the upper right. In a second ornate representation, undoubtedly intended to honor the Pope, here flanked by the figures of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, stands the title of the map. Of clear Maginian origin, it shows the boundaries of the internal divisions, including the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, but also depicts part of the neighboring Kingdom of Naples and the State of Lucca. It is a very valuable map because of the accurate representation of the hydrography and of the inhabited centers (of which it shows several Importance is emphasized by the typographical characters and the respective conventional signs for archiepiscopal, episcopal, etc. sees) and other specific geographical elements (from the islands of the Tuscan archipelago, for example, to the area around Nursino, where Lake Pilate—also known as Lake Norcia, Mount Vittore, and the Sibilla Cave—are depicted), in order to forgive some toponymic distortions. The bridges are also depicted (four over the Arno and eight over the Chiana, one over the river Nera near the city of Terni) and some wooded areas, such as the area north of the Terni basin between Strettura and Acquasparta, drawn with stylized trees" (see "The Ancient Lands of the Duchy of Spoleto", p. 64).

Published by W. and J. Blaeu in 1635 in Amsterdam in the French edition of their first large atlas (Atlas Novus).

Very good condition, some minimal age browning. Wide margins, thick paper. Reverse side text in French.

Image 38x49,5cm, sheet 49x57,5cm