Beschreibung:

BRAUN, GEORG and FRANS HOGENBERG. Civitates Orbis Terrarum. [Cologne 1582-75-81-n.d.(1588?)]. Vols. 1-4 only bound in 2, folio, 406 x 280 mm. (16 x 11 in.), contemporary German vellum gilt over pasteboard, later morocco lettering-pieces on spines, g.e., lacking ties, joints split, worn, first vol. with later endpapers and lacking flyleaves, unnumbered London map in vol. 1 bound in between plates 23 and 24, vol. 1 title (rubbed and soiled) and dedication leaf shorter and possibly supplied from another copy, pl. 1:21 (Groninga, etc.) defective, pl. 1:42 (Milan) badly torn, creased and soiled, pl. 1:43 stuck together at center fold due to clumsy large repairs, approximately 51 plates with minor internal tears, small holes, or fold breaks (some repaired), mainly in vols. 1 and 2, about 17 plates creased, small rubbed spots or areas of adhesion damage to approximately 12 plates, occasional offsetting, marginal soiling throughout, some marginal dampstaining and browning to prelims and index leaves . Latin edition, 4 engraved titles, preliminary text, index leaves, 236 double-page engraved plates of detailed town views and plans (including map of Denmark), many embellished with coats-of-arms and foreground figures, several showing two or more views, letterpress descriptions and numbering on versos, double-sheet views of Rome and Jerusalem bound in as separate pairs of plates, TITLES AND PLATES FULLY COLORED IN A CONTEMPORARY HAND, THE TITLES HEIGHTENED WITH GOLD. Parts 1 to 4 of the first systematic city atlas and "one of the best-selling works in the last quarter of the 16th century" (Koeman, II, p. 10). In format and ordering of the plates the work shows the influence of Abraham Ortelius's Theatrum orbis terrarum , and was possibly the brainchild of Ortelius himself. The text is by George Braun, canon of the Cathedral of Cologne, and the engravings by Frans Hogenberg and Simon Novellanus, many after the drawings of Joris Hoefnagel the remainder after Ortelius, Heinrich Rantzau, Jacob van Deventer and others. Views of Mexico and Cuzco appear in vol. I, plate 58. Koeman II, B & H 1-4; Phillips Atlases 59. Provenance : Frederick H. Rindge (1857-1905). (2)