This title page is from Volume II of Blaeu's great town books of the Netherlands. This sheet introduced the volume devoted to the southern part of the Netherlands or United Provinces, still under Spanish domination. At top, under bright sun rays, two royal lions support a crowned armorial shield with the Spanish royal arms. To the left of the title are the arms of Brabant and Luxemburg, and to the right are the shields of Limburg and Flanders. Below are five additional shields for Antwerp (Marchionatus S. R. Imp.), Hannonia, Artesia, Namur, and Mechelin. The majority of the shields incorporate the Dutch lion emblem in a variety of heraldic forms, with the exception of Artesia (which displays the fleur-de-lis) and Antwerp and Mechelin (which incorporate the Hapsburg double-headed eagle). This example does not include a printed title, which would normally be adhered on top of the engraving at center (as was customary during this period).

References: Shirley (TP) #49A.

Condition: B+

On watermarked paper with attractive coloring. There is an extraneous crease at top and overall light soiling.