A rare copper engraving with two maps on one sheet; one of Limagne (in Auvergne) and one of the area of Boulogne and Calais (in Nord-Pas-de-Calais). Latin text on verso.

Gerard de Jode published several important maps including Ortelius' famous 8-sheet map of the world in 1564. His major atlas, Speculum Orbis Terrarum was a commercial failure because his rival, Abraham Ortelius, was able to obtain a monopoly for eight years at the same time De Jode was preparing the publication. After Gerard's death, his widow and son, Cornelius, enlarged the atlas and re-issued it in 1593. On the death of Cornelis, the copper plates were sold to J. B. Vrients, who acquired them merely to stop their re-issue, as he had also acquired the Ortelius plates and wanted no competition. De Jode's maps are very scarce and rarely offered on the market.

References:

Condition: A

Fine impression with a bit of printer's ink residue.