The ‘earliest systematic city atlas’ in contemporary vellum binding

A fine example of this monumental city atlas, produced as a companion to Ortelius's 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum' atlas, with text by Georg Braun and plates engraved by Frans Hogenberg and others. The first volume was originally published in 1572, but these are later printings, making a uniform set with the last volume, number 6, which first appeared in 1617. The 363 plates are an impressive record of the notable towns of the period, mostly in Europe but also some in Asia and Africa, and even two in the New World, Mexico City and Cusco. The inclusion of dress and events in the foreground add extra local detail.