[Sanson world atlas. Exceptional copy] Atlas with 20 engraved maps

by Sanson d'Abbeville, all double-page and with coloured outlines, mostly with address Paris, P. Mariette or M. Tavernier and dated 1636-1658, contemporary limp vellum, folio (43 x 31 cm.).

Maps occ. with small tears/ marginal repairs, several maps somewhat (water)stained. Endpapers renewed in the 19th century; vellum creased and stained, with contemporary annotations and old restoration to spine. Comprises the following maps per handnumbering on reverse (with number 10 not present): (1) World map (Mariette, 1651); (2) Europe (Mariette, 1650); (3) Europe (Mariette, n.d.); (4) Asia (Mariette, 1650); (5) Africa (Mariette, 1650); (6) South America (Mariette, 1650); (7) North America (Mariette, 1650, California as an island); (8) Great Britain (Mariette, 1658); (9) Scandinavia (Mariette, n.d.); (11) France (Tavernier, 1641); (12) France (Tavernier, 1658); (13) partial map France Gouvernement General du Lyonnois (...) (Mariette, n.d.); (14) Germany and surrounding nations (Tavernier, 1658); (15) The Netherlands (Tavernier, 1640); (16) Poland and surrounding nations (no publ., 1655); (17) Spain (Tavernier, 1658); (18) Italy (Tavernier, 1658); (19) De Levant (chez l'auteur, 1654); (20) Greece (no address, 1636); (21) Palestine (Mariette, n.d.). This copy is highly exceptional for having on the reverse of several maps contemporary drawings and annotations in pen: e.g. to the reverse of the world map a drawing of God the Father surrounded by order forms with prices of ingredients such as "menthe" and "muscade" and lower left date "26 février 1679" with monogram "P.E.". On the facing blank reverse of the first map of Europe an extensive recipe has been written: "A Vichy 1687. Recette pour composer la Liqueur Melisse vert", signed "P. Pascal". On several reverses of the following maps (through map 7) religious drawings in pen have been added, but also drawings of equipment for the (alchemistic) preparation of liquids.