This lot includes volumes III and IV of this large and difficult to find atlas, which is traditionally bound into four volumes. In total these two volumes contain 74 hand-colored and extravagant copperplate maps and charts. An additional 62 double-page text sheets and tables are interspersed throughout. Each folio page is bordered by a superb frame-style border that was printed from a separate plate. Volumes III and IV feature the history, geography and cartography of the Ancient World through the ages in tremendous detail. The maps in these two volumes focus on regions surrounding the Mediterranean, including Italy, the Middle East, Holy Land, Turkey, and Greece. There are also several maps of Europe and western Europe. The majority of the maps are bordered at right and left with a chronology of events and other explanatory text. This is a lovely example of this splendid and lavishly produced historical atlas. Folio. Two volumes, with a frontispiece in Vol. III and both volumes with its own table of contents. Hardbound in full contemporary leather; six raised bands, gilt embossing and red leather title labels on spines; marbled endpapers; all paper edges marbled.

References: cf. Phillips #628; cf. Shirley (BL Atlases) T.BUY-2a.

Condition: B+

Full contemporary color with occasional toning, color offsetting, and foxing. A few plates have small chips along the edges of the sheets (which appear more likely to be flaws of the paper-making process). The bindings are sound. The covers are worn and stained with some abrasions and bumped corners. The spines are also worn with some abrasions and a few cracks in the leather.