Antique 1631 map of the Duchy of Anjou by Guillaume Blaeu (1571-1638) after Lézin Guyet (1515-158)

Antique map from 1631 of the duchy of anjou by guillaume blaeu (1571-1638) after lézin guyet (1515-1580) title: ducatus andegavensis - aniou. Dates: 1642-43. Copper engraving, printed on paper. Size (excluding margins): 380 X 500 mm (14.96 X 19.69 inches). Text: french condition: original coloring, excellent. Reversible sheet, one side contains the map and the other side the information. The contours of anjou have been gradually constructed since the long “reign” of count foulques III known as nerra, in the 11th century. After experiencing a period of prosperity in the 12th century, under the plantagenet dynasty, anjou came, from 1202, under the authority of french royal power. Anjou was then constituted as a duchy and governed by members of the royal family. On the death of rené d'anjou in 1480, the duchy was definitively integrated into the royal domain. In february 1790, the former province was transformed into a department, under the name of maine-et-loire. Willem jansz. Blaeu and his son joan blaeu were the best-known cartographic publishers of the 17th century. In 1596, he arrived in amsterdam, where he established himself as a cartographer, manufacturer of globes, instruments and maps. He published his first cartographic work (a globe) in 1599 and probably published his first printed map (a map of the netherlands) in 1604. He specialized in maritime cartography and published the first edition of the pilot's guide het licht der zeevaert in 1608., and was appointed hydrographer of the voc (united east india company) in 1633. After thirty years of publishing works, wall charts, globes, sea charts and pilotage guides, he published his first atlas, atlas appendix (1630). This was the beginning of the great tradition of atlas making by the blaeus. Dimensions: 50x40cm (frame not included) as these are old objects, they may show signs due to their old photographs are part of the description.