VANDERMAELEN, PHILIPE | Atlas Universel De Geographie Physique, Politique, Statistique et Mineralogique Sur L'echelle De 1/1641836 Ou D'une Ligne Par 1900 Toises. Brussels: 1827

VANDERMAELEN, PHILIPE 

Atlas Universel De Geographie Physique, Politique, Statistique et Mineralogique Sur L'echelle De 1/1641836 Ou D'une Ligne Par 1900 Toises. Brussels: 1827

6 vols., folios (14 3/4 x 20 7/8 in.; 375 x 531 mm). 6 printed half-titles, 6 titles, dedication, 44pp., "Statistique de l'Europe", 7 lithographed index maps, one of comparative heights, and 382 double-page maps by Henri Ode, handcolored in outline; some foxing to text leaves; a few stray spots to maps, minor toning. Uniformly bound half polished tree calf over tan paper covered boards, gilt-lettered black morocco labels to spines, numbered tabs to foredges; overall rubbed, corners bumped with occasional loss, some spotting and minor staining to boards.

First edition of the first lithographed atlas. Vandermaelen was renowned for his many detailed maps of Brussels, completed one example of the monumental globe that these maps were produced to create. It was housed in a custom-made room, more than 23 feet in diameter. It remains the largest image of the earth's surface available to a 19th century audience. Includes important large-scale depictions of the American West, the Far East and Australia.

REFERENCE:

Koeman III, Vdm 1; NMM 3:179; Philips, Atlases 749