This book includes two rare miniature atlases of the Low Countries with a total of 27 maps. The first atlas, Cartes et Tables de Geographie, des Provinces Eschues a la Reine Tres-Chretiene, par le Decez de la Reine Elisabeth sa Mere, du Prince Dom Balthazar son Frere, et du Roy Catholique Philippe IV. son Pere, was first published in 1667 at the outbreak of the War of Devolution. Louis XIV, who had married Philip IV of Spain's daughter, Marie-Therese, in 1665, was promised a large dowry in exchange for Marie-Therese renouncing all claims to Spanish territory. The dowry was never paid, and Louis XIV used this as an excuse to initiate the War of Devolution and invade the Spanish Netherlands. Although France gained some territory in Flanders, Louis XIV was forced to return nearly all of the Spanish Netherlands to Spain as a result of the Triple Alliance of England, Sweden and the Dutch Republic. This atlas shows the lands sought by Louis XIV and includes 13 (of 17) maps, a title page, and 9 (of 13) tables.

The second atlas, Les XII. Provinces. Ou sont les Conquestes du Roy en Holande, et en Flandres, was published at the outset of the Franco-Dutch War in 1672, and represented Louis XIV's second attempt at conquering the Spanish Netherlands. France succeeded in capturing further lands in the Spanish Netherlands, and while the overall outcome of the war was inconclusive, Louis XIV's success earned him the title "Sun King." This atlas is complete and includes 14 maps, two title pages, and 5 tables.

16 mo. Hardbound in contemporary leather with marbled endpapers and raised bands, gilt tooling and gilt titling on spine.

References: Pastoureau, DUVAL IV B and DUVAL VIII A.

Condition: A

The maps are in near fine condition with minor toning, damp stains, occasional soiling, and worm tracks confined to the blank margins. Previous owner's bookplate on front paste-down. The hinges are starting and the free endpapers have damp stains. The covers are bumped with small abrasions and the spine is cracking with chips at top and bottom.