Island of Reunion antique map. Levasseur c1854

by Levasseur, Victor

Contemporary-coloured antique map of Île de la Réunion.

The French Department of La Réunion or French Départment d'Outre-Mer de la Réunion island, is one of the Mascarene Islands in the south Indian Sea east of South Africa.

The statistics and geography are by geographic engineer, Victor Levasseur (1795-1862), engraved by A. Piat for Levasseur's Atlas National Illustré (Illustrated National Atlas). The map has contemporary coloured pen outlining, and is surrounded by a beautifully engraved pictorial narrative of the island, important people (Parny and Bertin), people, produce and industries of the region, with a view of the city on the shoreline and tall mountains beyond. At the base of the map the statistics are surrounded by local vegetation and above is a draped cloth-and-vine suspending a beribboned, framed building. Levasseur's elaborately decorated maps and accuracy of information established his reputation as a mapmaker. His maps are some of the most decorative produced.

This map is in very good condition, as issued, surrounded by a large margin. Page size is 365 x 535mm (14 3/8 x 21 inches).