BLAEU, Johannes (1596-1673) & Jan (1596-1673). Le Theatre du Monde ou Nouvel Atlas. Amsterdam: Willem & Jan Blaeu, 1643-45.
3 volumes, 2° (500 x 330mm). Mounted on guards throughout. French text. Half-title to vol.I. 3 engraved titles (vols.II & III with letterpress slips pasted-on), 2 engraved section titles in vols.II & III with letterpress slips pasted-on, 278 engraved maps only (of 279, vol.II lacking map of 'Arragonica et Navarra'), ALL HAND-COLOURED BY A CONTEMPORARY HAND, 7 folding, 266 double-page. (Some browning, occasionally heavy, several maps clearly torn.) Contemporary vellum, panelled in gilt, g.e. (somewhat soiled, occasional small tears).
This set comprises:
Vol.I: THE WORLD, ARCTIC, SCANDANAVIA, RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPE, GERMANY, and the LOW COUNTRIES. 2 parts in one volume, letterpress half-title, hand-coloured engraved title and section title, heightened in gold, 120 hand-coloured engraved maps (6 folding, 113 double-page, one half-page). (13 clearly torn, 25 browned). Cf. Koeman Bl 19 A (two variant maps: 19. Prussia accurate descripta, and 94. Lutzenburg ducatus).
Vol.II: FRANCE, SPAIN, ASIA, AFRICA and AMERICA. 2 parts in one volume, 2 hand-coloured engraved titles and 92 maps only (of 93, one folding, 91 double-page). (17 browned, 20 clearly torn, the Virginia map with slight loss). Cf. Koeman Bl 18 C (two variant maps: Royaume de France, and Brasilia).
Vol.III: ITALY, GREECE AND THE BRITISH ISLES. Hand-coloured engraved title and 66 maps (62 double-page, 1 full-page, 3 half-page). (49 browned, 12 torn). Koeman Bl 35 F. (3)