Nicolas de Fer held the title of geographer at Louis XIV's court. He was one of the most prolific publishers of plans of European cities in the late seventeenth century. The fortifications plans in Les Forces de l'Europe were designed to teach fortification techniques. Engraved by Van Loon and Schoonebeek after French engineers under the command of Vauban, the renowned military architect. The illustrations often include a description and a legend with the principal buildings; each city plan includes both fortifications and street layout.

Attractive plan of the fortifications of the port of Palamos in Spain as they were during the French invasion of Catalonia in 1694 at the time of the War of the Grand Alliance. In the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War, which had devastated large parts of Southern Germany, the League of Augsburg was formed in 1686 between Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, and various German princes to oppose Louis XIV's increased aggressions in Germany. The alliance was joined by Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Provinces. Later, England also declared war on France in May of 1689, and the League of Augsburg became known as the "Grand Alliance," with England, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Provinces, and most of the German states opposing France. The war came to an inconclusive end in 1696.

References: Pollak #21, p. 40.

Condition: B

Nice later color. Small hole in map professionally and nearly invisibly repaired.