Blaeu, J. Toonneel der steden van de Vereenighde Nederlanden,

met hare beschrijvingen (...). (Amst., J. Blaeu, 1652). 2 vols. 2 engr. architectural title-p. (each w. a blank central panel where a letterpress slip with the title and the publisher’s name would have been pasted), the first w. the coats of arms of the 7 provinces of the Dutch Republic plus Zutphen and West Friesland, the second w. the 9 provinces of the Spanish Netherlands on three sides and the larger arms of King Philip IV of Spain; 181 (Dutch Republic) & 139 (Spanish Netherlands) (fold./ double-p./ full-p./ half-p.) maps, plans and views, profusely ills. w. approx. 20 woodcut ill. figures in the text (fortifications, obverse and reverse of coins and medals, etc.), head and tailpieces, decorated initials, etc.; set in Roman and Italic types. Unif. hroan w. black morocco title pieces on spines. Atlas folio (57 x 37 cm).

Covers and spine somewhat worn; lacking the two letterpress title-slips and without two of the privileges included in some copies; in volume 1, 4 double-page maps/ plans have been sophisticated, probably at an early date: Zierikzee, Groningen, the Battle of Nieuwpoort and the Siege of Rheinberg: Van der Krogt maps 48, 77, 101 and 119, the last three of these have the map pasted on the blank inside double-page spread of the letterpress bifolium rather than printed on it, the Groningen map is not the one Blaeu made for this atlas but his slightly earlier map (Van der Krogt Groningen 42.1 of 1646 rather than 43 of 1647); one map has a tear at the foot of the central fold, running 8 cm into the map image; a few other minor defects. A well-preserved large paper copy of the first Dutch edition of Joan Blaeu's great atlas of the cities and towns of the Low Countries. In addition to maps and plans, the engravings show city profiles, important buildings and monuments, and many are adorned with spectacular cartouches, coats of arms and occasionally pictorial decorations. The accompanying texts provide valuable information on the cities' geography, history, important buildings and culture. Blaeu's famous atlas was in production during the war for independence between the United Provinces of the Netherlands and Spain. The division of the maps between the two volumes reflects the changing status of individual towns and fortifications in the final years of the war and the recognition of Dutch Independence by Spain in 1648. V.d. Krogt, Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici IV-1, 43:121, issue 4; Fontaine Verwey, Uit de wereld van het boek III, p. 169-170. (total 2)