Puy-de-Dome Department in Auvergne, Massif Central Volcano region of France. Levasseur map c1859

by Levasseur, Victor

Levasseur Puy de Dome antique map c1859. Carte Ancienne de Géographie de Département du Puy-de-Dome.
 
Original steel-engraved map circa 1859 of Puy de Dome Department (named after a large dormant volcano in the Massif Central region of over 80 volcanic craters. (Vulcania theme park is dedicated to volcanoes.) Prefecture (Capital city) is Clermont-Ferrand (with black cathedral and home of Michelin). Saint-Floret is one of the most beautiful villages in France. 

This superb map of Puy-de-Dome is surrounded by a superbly engraved narrative of the region, with illustrations of produce, commerce, industry, local landmarks, peasants in regional dress, historically important people, and scrolls with statistical information. Engraving is by Laguillermie. Geography and statistics are by Victor Levasseur.

Levasseur established his reputation as a mapmaker between 1838 and 1854 with these beautiful maps for one of the most spectacular atlases ever published, Atlas National Illustre (Illustrated National Atlas). The outlining within the map is contemporary (from the time of publication). The fine hand-colour to the heavily engraved decoration is later, but certainly makes this a stunning map. With wide borders, as published this map is approximately 36 x 54 cm (14 x 21 inches).