This great city plan is based on Sebastian Munster's map of 1569. Paris began as a small settlement on an island in the Seine, named Lutetia by the Gallii Parisii. This island, seen at the center of the map, controlled the trade in the region both along the river and via the north-south roads crossing the island. The city grew through successive periods, with walls, citadels, and forts added through a series of expansions. The Bastille is shown at the upper center of the engraving and the great Notre-Dame cathedral is on the eastern end of on the island. The plan is oriented with north on the left. Latin text on verso.

This view was originally created by Braun & Hogenberg and published in their Civitates Orbis Terrarum beginning in 1572. Jansson acquired the plates in 1653 and republished many of them in a series of atlases of town maps and plans, some with alterations. In this view, Jansson removed the costumed figures that were depicted at bottom left of Braun & Hogenberg's view.

References: cf. Fussel, pp. 61-63; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.JAN-19a.

Condition: B

Old color with moderate toning and light soiling. There are professional repairs to centerfold separations at top and bottom and to a 1/2" tear adjacent to the centerfold at top. The margins have been trimmed but are ample for framing.