From Gerard Mercator's edition of 'Claudii Ptolemaei Tabulae Geographicae Orbis Terrarum'. It was in 1578 that one of the world's greatest cartographers put out an edition of the earliest surviving geographical treatise. This map shows the northern half of Africa with the equator displayed prominently. The source of the Nile River is also highlighted with a mountain range feeding two large lakes. An interesting feature is the Niger River in 'Libya' which is prominent across the map with its source in numerous lakes. During its course to the sea it disappears under a mountain range arising the other side. Although Mercator is most renowned today for the projection he popularised and for first using the term 'atlas' for a collection of maps, he devoted much of his life to his Ptolemaic maps. The maps were beautifully engraved as nearly as possible to their original form and are the most decorative of Ptolemaic maps. Koeman Me 5; Nordenskiold 234; Phillips, P.L. (Atlases) 384; Shirley BL T.Ptol-11a & 11k; Van der Krogt, P. (Atlantes) 1:501.

A excellent early view of the Venetian attack on Split published in Matthaus Merian's 'Theatrum Europaeum'. There were a total of 21 volumes in this huge work. The book was begun in 1635 by Matthaus Merian the Elder and continued by his son of the same name, the Younger, upon his death in 1650.

Matthaus Merian began publishing the 'Theatrum Europaeum' in 1633, it was not finished until 1738 by which time 21 volumes had been issued including some 20,000 pages of text, 720 maps, plans, views and other engravings and nearly 700 portraits. This plate illustrates the Swedish invasion of Prussia by King Gustavus Adolphus in May 1626. The force consisted of 125 ships and 8,000 men.Although successful he failed to capture Dantzig.

This plan of Aix-en-Provence in southern France is from the 'Topographia Gallia' by Martin Zeiler published 1655-61. All of the plates were the work of Matthaus Merian, one of the finest engravers of the seventeenth century.

A fine birds-eye view of the town of Ardebil (Ardabil) in northwestern Iran near the south west shore of the Caspian Sea. Matthaus Merian began publishing the 'Theatrum Europaeum' in 1633, it was not finished until 1738 by which time 21 volumes had been issued including some 20,000 pages of text, 720 maps, plans, views and other engravings and nearly 700 portraits. Shirley BL G.Mer 1a.

A plan of Basel from Werdenhagen's 'De Rebuspublicis Hanseaticus Tractatus'. Shirley 'Atlases in the British Library' G.Werd 1a no. 30.

Matthaus Merian began publishing the 'Theatrum Europaeum' in 1633, it was not finished until 1738 by which time 21 volumes had been issued including some 20,000 pages of text, 720 maps, plans, views and other engravings and nearly 700 portraits. This image depicts the Battle for the Castle of Wasslen by the forces of Baron von Goltz for Brandenburg against the Swedish. It was fought on 22 October 1674.

A fine birds-eye view of the Siege of Warsaw in 1656. A major battle fought between Poland and Sweden in the Second Northern War 1655-60. Matthaus Merian (1593-1650) began publishing the 'Theatrum Europaeum' in 1633, it was not finished until 1738 by which time 21 volumes had been issued including some 20,000 pages of text, 720 maps, plans, views and other engravings and nearly 700 portraits. Shirley (2004) G.Meri 7a no. 6.

This view of Chaalons is from the 'Topographia Gallia' by Martin Zeiler published 1655-61. It formed just one volume of the 'Topographiae' series which began in 1642 with a volume on Switzerland and extended to much of Europe. The final work covers Italy in 1688. All of the plates were the work of Matthaus Merian (1593-1650). Born in Basle, Switzerland, he was one of the finest engravers of the seventeenth century. He was renowned for his town plans and views. He married the daughter of Theodore de Bry. Chaalons en Champaigne is the capital of Marne in eastern France and was only officially renamed thus in 1998. Previously it was known as Chalons-sur-Marne. The River Marne flows through the foreground. Shirley (2004) G.Meri 22a.

From the 'Topographia Gallia' by Martin Zeiler published 1655-61. All of the plates were the work of Matthaus Merian, one of the finest engravers of the seventeenth century. A fine detailed plan of the town of Charleville-Mezieres in the Ardenne. The key buildings are all displayed in birds eye profile.