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 handsome bird's-eye view depicts the city of Meissen on the Elbe River. A number of important buildings are identified in a numbered key at bottom right. This engraving was based on a woodcut view published in Sebastian Munster's Cosmographia. Latin text on verso. This is an early edition prior to the plate cracking in the corners.

References: Fussel, pp. 182-83; Van der Krogt (Vol. IV) #2684.

Condition: B

A dark impression with full contemporary color on a toned, watermarked sheet with a few light spots and small abrasions. There are archival repairs to short centerfold separations at top and bottom, a couple of tiny holes along the centerfold, and to a few short edge tears. There are remnants of hinge tape on verso.