Attractive map of the French provinces by Elwe

Description

This beautiful, contemporary-coloured map of France presents the country by provinces. It was published by Jan Barend Elwe in 1792 in Amsterdam.

The map is richly detailed, with countless topographical features and placenames throughout. Relief and vegetation are rendered pictorially. A legend at top left defines symbols used to represent archbishoprics, bishoprics, principal abbeys (head of the order), parliaments, the Chamber of Accounts, généralités, and universities.

A striking title cartouche decorates the bottom left corner of the map. It is surmounted by the French royal coat of arms, held up by what appear to be two Nereids. At the bottom, the cartouche holds no less than seven distance scales.

While the title of the map refers to a division of the Kingdom of France “into all its provinces and acquisitions”, a second title, heading a panel on the right, specifies further that this is “France, divided into its 12 old and 24 new governments”. Beneath that title, the panel presents first the “old governments”, for each displaying the respective coat of arms and listing its subdivisions. Then, it itemises the “new governments”, starting with Paris. This part of the panel also holds all sorts of curious statistical data for Paris as well as France, citing, for instance, for Paris, a population of two million and the approximate number of various livestock “to feed so many people”.

This map was originally created by Pierre Husson and published in The Hague in 1708. Around 1740, Husson’s map was reissued by Reiner and Joshua Ottens, practically unaltered. Elwe eventually acquired the Ottens plate, made a few minor changes to it, and published it under his own name. Ironically, by that time, the map had become somewhat obsolete, as in 1790, in the wake of the French Revolution, the then-old (i.e. referred to as “new” on the map) provincial system had been abolished and the country divided into 83 departments.

A decorative and informative map of pre-revolution French administrative division.

Condition

Very good.

Issued folding. Beautiful early colouring throughout, including to cartouches and embellishments. One light crease near each side of centrefold. Minor corner creases. Light toning and minor stains contained to blank margins. Professional reinforcement to centrefold, and repair of centre bottom split and short tear.

Reference

Provinces of France. (2025, October 27). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_France

Item #: 02669

US $400.00

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