Mapping History: The Decorative Cartography of Indre-et-Loire by Levasseur, 1856

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de Maine et Loire'. Map of the French department of Maine et Loire, France. This area of France is part of the Loire Valley wine region, where nearly every ...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de l'Indre'. Map of the French department of Indre, France. Part of the Loire Valley wine region, this area is known for its production of Chinon wines, typ...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de la Loire'. Map of the French department of Loire, France. This area of France is part of the Loire Valley wine growing region. The area includes 87 appel...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de la Loire'. Map of the French department of Loire, France. This area of France is part of the Loire Valley wine growing region...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. d'Indre et Loire'. Map of the Department de L’Indre et Loire, France. This region is known for its fine wines, agriculture, distilled spirits, and cheese. T...

This original hand-colored map is from the "Atlas National Illustré," a work by Victor Levasseur, a French geographer and cartographer known for his richly illustrated maps. The map is a steel engraving, which was a common and precise method for creating maps at the time. The inclusion of the publisher's name, A. Combette from Paris, and the addresses of the various contributors to the map's creation, like the engravers Laguillermie and Rainaud, adds to the historical context of the piece. The margins of the map are adorned with detailed illustrations that serve as a visual encyclopedic reference to the region's geography, economy, and notable figures. The use of color along the boundaries makes the map not only a tool for navigation but also an educational resource, providing insights into the department's landscape, economy, and cultural significance. The text included in the map's design provides statistical information, a map legend, and discussions about the land, local curiosities, notable personalities, products, and commerce, which would have been invaluable for education and reference at the time. The 'Atlas National Illustré' is celebrated for its combination of cartographic detail and artistic embellishment, making it a valuable cultural artifact. It represents the height of decorative map-making in the 19th century, alongside the works of John Tallis and Archibald Fullarton. This uploaded image is a detailed and colored map of the Département de la Gironde from Victor Levasseur's "Atlas National Illustré." Similar to the other maps from this series, it features a central map with the title 'Dépt. de la Gironde' at the bottom. Surrounding the map are decorative vignettes and elements that bring to life the cultural and economic aspects of the Gironde department. On the left, there is likely statistical information about the department and its subdivisions, reflecting the population and administrative details. This is framed by images that may represent the local industries and natural resources, such as wine, which is a central feature of the Bordeaux region located within Gironde. The right side of the map contains a textual history and descriptions of the region, coupled with portraits of notable figures, possibly historic personages or contributors to the region's cultural and economic development. The illustrations often include agricultural products, symbols of commerce, and scenes of daily life, as well as architectural landmarks. The presence of wine bottles, barrels, and vineyards in the illustrations would be indicative of the Gironde's prominence in wine production, particularly Bordeaux wines, which are esteemed worldwide. These engravings serve to emphasize the richness of the land and the sophistication of its products. Maps from this era, especially those by Levasseur, are notable for their combination of art and education, providing a snapshot not only of the geography but also of the societal and economic conditions of the time. The detailed engravings also suggest that this map was as much a decorative piece as it was a functional one, intended for display and reference by those interested in the illustrated region. The Gironde department in France is renowned for its significant contribution to the wine industry, particularly through the Bordeaux wine region. A bit more about the important places within Gironde and the types of wine the area is known for: 1. **Bordeaux**: The capital city of the department and the heart of the wine region. It's not only an urban center but also a hub for the wine trade. 2. **Médoc**: North of Bordeaux, known for prestigious châteaux and wines like Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, and Saint-Estèphe. 3. **Saint-Émilion**: East of Bordeaux, recognized for its full-bodied red wines and the picturesque medieval town. 4. **Pomerol**: Also near Saint-Émilion, smaller than its neighbor but equally renowned, particularly for Château Pétrus...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning 1856 hand watercolour map of the Austrian Alps titled Dept Des Hautes Alpes taken from the Atlas National...

Decorative Vintage Ironwork, A Pictorial History by Henry Rene D'Allemagne. Softcover book, 413 pages, published in 1968 by Dover Publications, Inc. o...

The History of the Colony Club by Ann F. Cox. Hardcover, 1st edition. 1984. Privately printed by the club. The Colony Club is a women-only private social club in New York City.

A beautiful Riviere bound copy of this popular natural history work by ornithologist Gilbert White. An exceptionally bound work, with natural history motifs gilt tooled to the spine....

Hidden History of the Kovno Ghetto. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1998. Second printing hardcover with dust jacket. 255 pp. An important book published by the United States Ho...

History of the Nineteenth Army Corps by Richard B. Irwin. Elliott's Book Shop Press, Baton Rouge, 1985. Reprint of the original 1892 Edition. 1st Ed thus hardcover with no dust jacket. The history of the famous 19th Corps, a unit in the Union Army famed for its successes and daring during the American Civil War. This edition includes the original battlefield maps. A series of daring victories swiftly established the special reputation of the 19th. At the height of their prowess, the company demonstrated great martial skill during the Siege of Port Hudson and in Shenandoah Valley. Notably, the 19th had a large contingent of black soldiers...