Allier Department in Auvergne Rhone-Alpes region. Levasseur map c1855

$220.00

Dept. de l'Allier. Carte Ancienne de Géographie de Département. Antique map of Department of Allier (capital, Vichy) in the Auvergne Rhones-Alpes region of France – region of Rhone Alpes pre-2016.

Original steel-engraved map c1855 with its geography surrounded by a superbly engraved narrative of the region. Scrolls enclosed statistical information accompanied by illustrations of produce, commerce, industry, local landmarks, peasants in regional dress, historically important people, coats of arms, animals, cheese, fruit and fish.

Geographer and engineer Victor Levasseur established his reputation as a mapmaker from 1838 on, with this series of maps for one of the most decorative atlases ever published, Atlas National Illustre (Illustrated National Atlas). This edition, published by Amable Combette in Paris in 1855 included geography and statistics by Victor Levasseur, Geographical Engineer.

The outlining and regional hand-colour within the map is contemporary (from the time of publication). The beautiful hand-colour to the heavily engraved decoration is of a later date, but certainly adds to the impact of this stunning map.

With wide margins, approximate measurements are 375 x 515 mm (14.3/4 x 20.1/4 inches). To map border measures 285 x 410 mm (11.1/4 x 16.1/8 inches) There are slight indentation in the paper around the edge of the page.