Beautiful Map, Original from 1665, of France. Nicolas Sanson. Very Well Preserved

Beautiful Map, Original from 1665, of France. Nicolas Sanson. Very Well Preserved

Magnificent original 17th-century map of France, created by the renowned cartographer Nicolas Sanson in 1665. The map is in excellent condition and is an original from that period. The coloring is also original, featuring subtle and attractive shades designed to distinguish the regions of France. The map depicts French territory as it existed in the 17th century, including areas conquered from Spain, Germany, and Italy, as well as parts of neighboring countries. The inscriptions and the names of regions, towns, cities, and seas are in French.

The map is the work of Nicolas Sanson (1600-1667), a famous French cartographer and historian who served as geography tutor to Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV. King Louis XIII appointed Sanson as minister of foreign affairs due to his excellent relationship with the scholar. Nicolas Sanson began his career as a cartographer in 1627, publishing what would be his first major map, *Postes de France*, through the publisher Melchior Tavernier. He would later partner with Pierre Mariette, a print publisher, for his subsequent works. Indeed, Mariette's name appears on the left-hand title block of the map in question.

This title block, located in the lower corner of the map, describes what is depicted in the engraving and lists Sanson and Mariette as the engravers. The cartouche also displays the map's publication date, 1665. It is a highly decorative detail, with the inscription set within a beautiful historiated shield, adorned at the top with the royal crown and two reclining figures playing cornets and dressed in classical Roman style. The reference scales are shown in the lower right corner of the map.

This fantastic antique map is a work of immense prestige and quality, worthy of a discerning collector.

Dimensions: Paper: Width: 58.2 cm. Height: 39.8 cm. Engraving: Width: 52 cm. Height: 47.2 cm.