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. Many of the earliest plates were issued in Johann Angel von Werdenhagen's 'De Rebus Publicis Hanseaticus' of 1644 including this fine plan of Cologne. Two keys help to identify 49 places on the map. Shirley BL G.Werd 1a no. 85 & G.Mer 1a.

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. In 1655 Hungary elected Leopold as its king, in the following years so did Bohemia and Croatia. July of 1658, a year after his father's death, Leopold was elected the Emperor at Frankfurt. This despite the French minister, Cardinal Mazarin's interference. He preferred to make Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria the Emperor. This is a fine large panorama of the procession of the Emperor.

This birds-eye view of Villefranche in Provence, 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. Part of Nice is displayed in the west. The empty promontory on the right is now the home of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, one of the most exclusive regions of Cote D'Azur.

A birds -eye view and plan of Freiburg, just outside Dresden, during the siege of 1643. 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. Fauser A. 4185.

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 Dieppe in Normandy. The buildings are all displayed in birds eye profile.

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 superb birds-eye view of a battle in Alsace relates to the Thirty Years War between Spain and France. In this battle on 2 March 1634 the Swedish were defeated. The town lower left on the river is Sennen or Cernay in Alsace, France.

Extremely decorative map of France with various coats of arms on display. From the 'Theatrum Europaeum'. Shirley BL G.Meri 1a.

A plan of Geneva from Werdenhagen's 'De Rebuspublicis Hanseaticus Tractatus'. Shirley Atlases in the British Library G.Werd 1a no. 37.

An early map detailing Gascony in France. The region is the south west of the country. Toulouse appears just upper left of the title cartouche. From the 'Theatrum Europaeum'. Shirley BL G.Meri 1a.

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 Honfleur in Normandy. The buildings are all displayed in birds eye profile. The town is not easily recognisable as their has been so much of the Channel reclaimed, the town is now set back from the coast.