Ariege Department of France. Levasseur antique map c1850

by Levasseur, Victor

Antique Map of Ariege, the south-west department of France, just north of Andorra.

Original steel-engraved map surrounded by a superbly engraved narrative of the region, with illustrations of produce, commerce, industry, local landmarks, peasants in regional dress, historically important personage, coats of arms, and statistical information. Geographer and engineer Victor Levasseur established his reputation as a mapmaker between 1838 and 1854 with this series of maps for one of the most decorative atlases ever published, Atlas National Illustre (Illustrated National Atlas), published in Paris c1854.

There is contemporary pen outlining and regional border wash to this. The beautiful hand-colour of the heavily engraved decoration is of a later date, but certainly makes this a stunning map. With wide margins, approximate measurements are 37 x 51 cm (14.5 x 20 inches), with engraved map 29 x 42 cm (11.5 x 16.5 inches).