This was one of the last decorative atlases ever produced. The finely engraved title page, which sets the stage for the beautiful maps to follow, is made up of several vignettes depicting famous land and sea battles, a portrait of Napoleon I, children practicing the arts and sciences, and more. In addition to the individual French departments the atlas contains maps of the world, continents, Oceania and French Colonies. The map of North America names and colors Texas as independent even in this 1854 edition. The United States is shown extending well into Canada in the Pacific Northwest. France was an ally to the U.S. and supported their position in the Fifty-four Forty or Fight dispute. Six more maps show the French colonial possessions of the time and two others illustrate France as a whole, with one, Nouvelle Carte de France, being the double page map at the back of the Atlas. This fine and complete atlas is filled with maps that have lovely decorated borders that relate to the region, including statistical information, regional products, famous local people, and places of interest. Original quarter leather, dark brown embossed and gilt cloth covers over boards, raised spine, all with tooling. Marbled end papers, engraved title page, table of contents, 98 single-page maps and 1 double-page map.

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Condition: B+

The maps are all fine, clean and bright with lovely original color. The maps that shows Paris and London are often found soiled, these are fine. Three pages with tears just entering the maps: Dept. des Basses-Alpes, Dept. des Haute Alpes, Dept de L'Ardeche. Old library stamp on back of title page. Binding has shelf wear. The front cover is starting from spine at top and the upper right tip of front cover is broken away. Contents tight and fine.