1852 Levasseur Map of Gironde (Bordeaux Wine Region)

This is a fascinating 1851 map of the French department of Gironde. This coastal department is the seat of the Bordeaux wine region and produces many of the world's finest reds. Shows numerous vineyards and chateaux. The whole is surrounded by elaborate decorative engravings designed to illustrate both the natural beauty and trade richness of the land. There are statistics and a short textual history of the regions depicted on both the left and right sides of the map. This particular map depicts the region on a smaller scale compared to Levasseur's later editions. Published by V. Levasseur in the 1851 edition of his Atlas National de la France Illustree.

Cartographers

Victor Levasseur (1800 - 1870), an important French engineer, cartographer, and engraver of the mid 19th century, held a number of important cartographically related political and educations posts in France. He is most famous for his Atlas National Illustré des 86 Départements et des Possessions de La France, a large decorative atlas of France, including his Planisphere and five important continental maps. Levasseur's maps are distinctive for their wide decorative margins containing elaborate depictions of the scenery, peoples, and trade goods of the areas he mapped. Levasseur maps are also known to offer a wealth of statistical data. Until recently, very few Levasseur Atlases migrated out of France where they were mostly used in public libraries and town halls. His work represents some of the last great decorative atlases of the 19th century.   Further Details...

Aristide Michel Perrot (1793 - 1879) was a French geographer, cartographer, and essayist active during the 19th century. Perrot specialized in miniature maps that appear in numerous French atlases. Perrot was also a prolific writer and his works include geographic lexicons and several essays.   Further Details...

Source

Levasseur, V., Atlas National Illustre des 86 Departements et des Possessions de La France Divise par Arrondissements, Cantons et Communea avec La Trace de Toutes Les Routes, Chemins,de fer et Canaux., 1851 edition.    

Condition

Very good. Blank on verso.

References

Rumsey 0427.032 (1856 edition). Phillips (Atlases) 3003.