Rare antique book / atlas Europaische Justinus 56 x Mallet maps & plates, 1689

  

A fascinating and particularly uncommon book entitled Der Europaische Justinus, Das ist: eine whare und grundliche Geographische, Politische und Historische Beschreibung der Europaeischen Keyserthumer, Konigreiche, Potentaten und herrschaften... Translated as, The European Justinus, which is: A true and thorough geographical, political and historical description of the European Key Treasures, Kingdoms, Potentates and dominions... , by Johann Dietrich von Gulich and published in Frankfurt by Johannes Haas in 1689. Written in German it is bound in contemporary vellum in the 8vo size (page size approx 95mm x 173mm) with approximately 320 pages (pp 195-198 are missing) over 40 chapters. It includes an engraved frontispiece and a further 56 copper-engraved plates showing maps, city views, portraits and medallions (plates are folded full list below).

Rather than being engraved specifically for this work the plates appear to be identical to those of Alain Manesson Mallet, produced for his Description de LUnivers, published six years earlier in 1683. The plates were probably originally used in Mallets German edition of his Description de LUnivers as each one includes a German title at the top and they still bear earlier plate numbering despite the fact they have been reordered for this work. Gulich actually refers to Mallets earlier work in the first sentence of his preface. Europe; Norway; Denmark; Sweden; Moscovie; Tartary; Poland; Turkey in Europe; Northern Turkey in Europe; Moldavia & Transylvania; Hungary; Southern Turkey in Europe; Macedonia, Greece, Greek Islands; Italy; Tuscany; Rome; Republic of Venice; Duchies of Mantua; Modena & Parma; Naples; Ancient Spain; Spain; Sicily (damaged lacking folding flap); Portugal; England; Germany; France. Bergen; Copenhagen; Fredricksberg; Stockholm; Yacobdal; Moscow; Cracow; Cracow Castle; Constantinople; Venice; Madrid; Buen Retiro; Escorial Palace; Lisbon; London; Vienna; Old & New Castles, Vienna; Versailles. Medallion of King Christian of Denmark; Medallion of Charles XI of Sweden. Medallion of Johan III of Poland; Medallion of Mehmet IV of Turkey; Medallion of Pope Innocent XI; King of Spain; King of Portugal; Medallion of Leopold of Austria; Medallion of Ludovicus Magnus of France (Louis XIV). Condition report: Overall in very reasonable condition given it remains in its original vellum binding which is somewhat rubbed and stained, and lacking ties. As mentioned earlier in the description pp 195-198 (two sheets) have been removed and there is some ink staining to the pages on either side. As the photographs show there is age toning throughout, perhaps more so to the text than to the plates.

There is also occasional age spotting and creasing. Each of the plates has a vertical fold as published in order to fit the larger sheet within the book (the plate of Sicily has some loss due to lacking the folding flap all the remaining plates are intact). There is a blind stamp for Neatham Mill Library on the final flyleaf.

Please study the photographs carefully to fully appreciate the condition. It is worth noting that there do not appear to be many (if any) other copies of this book currently in circulation. The only other ones I have been able to find online are in permanent collections. The item "Rare antique book / atlas Europaische Justinus 56 x Mallet maps & plates, 1689" is in sale since Wednesday, January 17, 2018. This item is in the category "Books, Comics & Magazines\Antiquarian & Collectable".

The seller is "mapsetcetera1" and is located in Ilkley. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Binding: Vellum
• Author: Johan Dietrich von Gulich
• Language: German
• Place of Publication: Frankfurt
• Year Printed: 1689
• Special Attributes: 1st Edition
• Original/Facsimile: Original
• Publisher: Johannes Haas
• Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
• Illustrator: Alain Manesson Mallet
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Publication Year: 1689