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 lovely bird's-eye view of the old port city of La Rochelle on the Bay of Biscay. A numbered key at top left identifies 16 locations, and three costumed figures balance the composition at bottom right. Latin text on verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #2219.

Condition: B+

A dark impression that is a bit uneven at bottom on a lightly toned sheet with a coat of arms watermark, scattered foxing, and a few tiny worm holes in the blank margins. A tiny tear in the bottom margin has been closed on verso with old paper, and there are remnants of framing tape along the top edge of the sheet on verso.