Tours France 1598 Munster decorative antique birds-eye city view print

Die Statt Tours. 

(Old Maps, 16th Century Prints, Europe, France, Tours, City View).

Issued c.1598, Basel by Munster."Cosmographia- Beschreibng Aller Lander Durch".

Original woodblock birds-eye city view from Munsters influential and monumental geographical work.

The prospect view map captures this French city with one of the earliest urban plans, as seen through the eyes of this Renaissance/ early modern Europe era while still contained within rampart walls.

With lovely, detailed full hand color. Folio leaf.

This double-page view originally appeared in this famous 16th century landmark work, one of the earliest printed attempts in modern Europe to systematically and accurately organize, describe and depict the entire world as it was then known. Encyclopedic in nature and scope, the monumental work discusses all known cultures, world topography and global history for the entire world - much of it speculative, hearsay, inaccurate, or even completely fictitious. 

It should be pointed out that Munster was writing this book and this woodblock map appeared within it just some 50-75 years or so after Columbus visited the Americas. As always for Munster maps, related text found around the map and on reverse.

Sheet measures c 11 3/4" W x 15 1/2" H.

Woodblock measures c. 10" W x 13 1/4" H.

Original fold line as issued. Nicer than typical for the type and era of printing.

[R35696].