An important Leo Belgicus in fine original colour

A map of the seventeen United Provinces depicted as a lion, facing right, one paw raised (over Cologne). It is decorated with a large strapwork title cartouche, three pairs of costumes, two galleons and a seamonster. Engraved by Hendrik Floris van Langren (c.1548-1648), it was first published sometime before 1609. However the original state is so rare (only three known examples) that it was often attributed to Pieter van der Keere (1571-post 1646), who added his name to the plate when he included it in his "La Germanie Inferieure de Petrus Keerius'. This work, the first Dutch national atlas, was not a success (Koeman lists only three editions, in Latin 1617 & 1622, and this French edition), so even his state of this map is rare.