![BLAEU, Joan (1596 - 1673) Regnorum Neapolis nec non Siciliae Urbes et Admiranda. Amsterdam: [1663].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/CKS/2000_CKS_06346_0021_000(011624).jpg?w=1)
Details
BLAEU, Joan (1596 - 1673) Regnorum Neapolis nec non Siciliae Urbes et Admiranda. Amsterdam: [1663].
2° (560 x 360mm). Latin text. 25 double-page engraved maps, plans, panoramas and views, 2 folding, 8 engraved illustrations and a single page plan, ALL COLOURED IN A CONTEMPORARY HAND AND ILLUMINATED IN GOLD. (Vertical creases to the views of Melazzo and Naples, restored tears to the lower margin of two leaves, small section of Naples panorama neatly strengthened on verso, later endpapers.) Contemporary neapolitan red morocco, covers panelled in gilt with central gilt arabesques, spine gilt in 11 compartments, raised bands, (silk ties torn, extremities very lightly rubbed), g.e.
A MAGNIFICENT COPY OF BLAEU'S RARE 1663 TOWNBOOK OF NAPLES AND SICILY, this copy undoubtably especially coloured and illuminated for presentation as a courtly or ambassadorial gift. The colouring throughout is of the highest quality, with titles, arms, dress and cartouches and borders all carefully heightened in gold; the use of the double gilt rule and pink borders together with the binding suggesting that it was coloured and bound in Naples. Curiously Koeman lists each of the three parts of the 1663 Italian townbooks as separate entries, as if they were issued separately. For part I (the Vatican) Koeman records 14 copies; for part II (Rome) 15 copies, but for part III only 2 copies, one in the University Library Amsterdam, another in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. Many of the copies of Parts I and II appear to have survived as two part sets, suggesting that initially Blaeu issued the first two parts together, later in the same year adding the third part. The rarity of this atlas is affirmed by its scarcity at auction - in the last 25 years two copies have been sold at auction.
The title of this copy is a variant of Koeman's Theatrum civitatum nec non admirandorum Neapolis et Siciliae Regnorum, while the style of the title particularly the ending a Joanne Blaeu Amstelaedamensi is very similar to the Latin imprints of the Dutch townbooks of the late 1640's. Koeman Bl 74.
2° (560 x 360mm). Latin text. 25 double-page engraved maps, plans, panoramas and views, 2 folding, 8 engraved illustrations and a single page plan, ALL COLOURED IN A CONTEMPORARY HAND AND ILLUMINATED IN GOLD. (Vertical creases to the views of Melazzo and Naples, restored tears to the lower margin of two leaves, small section of Naples panorama neatly strengthened on verso, later endpapers.) Contemporary neapolitan red morocco, covers panelled in gilt with central gilt arabesques, spine gilt in 11 compartments, raised bands, (silk ties torn, extremities very lightly rubbed), g.e.
A MAGNIFICENT COPY OF BLAEU'S RARE 1663 TOWNBOOK OF NAPLES AND SICILY, this copy undoubtably especially coloured and illuminated for presentation as a courtly or ambassadorial gift. The colouring throughout is of the highest quality, with titles, arms, dress and cartouches and borders all carefully heightened in gold; the use of the double gilt rule and pink borders together with the binding suggesting that it was coloured and bound in Naples. Curiously Koeman lists each of the three parts of the 1663 Italian townbooks as separate entries, as if they were issued separately. For part I (the Vatican) Koeman records 14 copies; for part II (Rome) 15 copies, but for part III only 2 copies, one in the University Library Amsterdam, another in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. Many of the copies of Parts I and II appear to have survived as two part sets, suggesting that initially Blaeu issued the first two parts together, later in the same year adding the third part. The rarity of this atlas is affirmed by its scarcity at auction - in the last 25 years two copies have been sold at auction.
The title of this copy is a variant of Koeman's Theatrum civitatum nec non admirandorum Neapolis et Siciliae Regnorum, while the style of the title particularly the ending a Joanne Blaeu Amstelaedamensi is very similar to the Latin imprints of the Dutch townbooks of the late 1640's. Koeman Bl 74.
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