[Netherlands] Novum ac magnum theatrum urbium Belgicae foederatae,

ad praesentis faciem expressum. Amst., J. Blaeu, n.d. (1649), 8 prel. lvs (dedications, privileges, introd. to the reader) and 2-page plate-index at the end. W. the following engravings: title-p. w. mounted letterpress central title; 93 double-p. plans; maps and views; double-p. plate dep. the "Currus veliferi"; 4 full-p. plans; 77 half-p. or smaller plans, maps and views; 9 half-p. plans and views on 2 lvs and woodcut and engr. smaller ills. in the text. Very finely bound in modern antique style gilt full calf by La Feuille de Pélain, Michel Fassin (Barchon). Large folio. In marbled board slipcase w. leather brims. A very good, carefully and professionally cleaned and smoothed copy, in a splendid, exclusive binding.

The Townbooks of Blaeu (a seperate volume was dedicated to the Southern Netherlands; see elsewhere in this category) represent a major in Dutch cartography. They contain very fine and detailed large-format plans of the major cities, panoramic views (incl. historical sieges of cities, fortifications) and the famous engraving of the wind-powered land-yacht ("currus veliferi") invented by Simon Stevin.