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.

A superb bird's-eye plan of Rotterdam adorned with the city's coat of arms, costumed figures and large ships. The well-fortified city is surrounded by canals and the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk appears prominently near the center of the city. Still centuries away from the construction of the Nieuwe Waterweg ship canal, which would transform the small peninsular city into Europe's largest port, Rotterdam was nonetheless becoming an important port around the time of the publication of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum due to its direct access to the sea during the Dutch Revolt. French text on verso.

References: Fussel, pp. 285-87; Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #3773.

Condition: A

A nice impression on a bright sheet with a crease at bottom center and light soiling that is mostly confined to the margins.