[Italy] Lombardia

Roma, Vincenzo Luchini, 1556. First ed./ first state. Handcol. engr. map, 29 x 47.5 cm. Cartouche filled in w. dec. in ink.

Margins trimmed, fold in centre, old restoration verso, some sm. defects along edges, a few sm. holes but overall a good copy. Very rare 1st state of this important map of Northern Italy. The largely empty cartouche indicates that this was an 'ante litteram' proof. This map was inspired by the woodcut of Luca Antonio de Hubertis, but Luchini completely changed the depictions of the cities to much more realistic views. It proved to be very influential, as it was not only reprinted many times, but also used as inspiration by other map makers such as. A. Lafreri and F. Bertelli. Ref. Bifolco-Ronca (2014), no. 21.