Braun & Hogenberg's Civitates Orbis Terrarum or "Cities of the World" was published between 1572 and 1617. Within the six volumes, 531 towns and cities were depicted on 363 plates, providing the reader with the pleasures of travel without the attendant discomforts. Braun wrote in the preface to the third book, "What could be more pleasant than, in one's own home far from all danger, to gaze in these books at the universal form of the earth . . . adorned with the splendor of cities and fortresses and, by looking at pictures and reading the texts accompanying them, to acquire knowledge which could scarcely be had but by long and difficult journeys?" Braun and Hogenberg incorporated an astonishing wealth of information into each scene beyond the city layout and important buildings. The plates provide an impression of the economy and prominent occupations, and illustrate local costumes, manners and customs.

This map shows the Island of Ven in the Øresund strait, which is perhaps best known for being the location of Uraniborg, the observatory of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546–1601). The observatory is shown in the center of the island, and the two insets at top depict the grounds and the building in greater detail. The building labeled "C" is the workshop where the astronomical instruments were made, and the building labeled "D" is the underground observatory known as Stjerneborg. A superb and unique map. French text on verso.

References: Fussel, p. 303.

Condition: B+

A dark impression on a lightly toned sheet with a coat of arms watermark. The toning along the centerfold is a bit more prominent.