Philipp Clüver; 1580-1622.
Clüver, also known as Philippi Cluverii, was born in Danzig
(present days Gdansk in Poland), but did most of his studying
in Holland and England.
He quickly specialized in "historical" geography. Having limited
cartographic abilities, he relied extensively on the map making
skills of well known authors, such as Petrus Bertius & Petrus
Kaerius.
Of note, his publishing of Germania Antiqua, Italia Antiqua,
Sicilia Antiqua. Their never obsolete subjects insured continued
re-edition long after his passing away (till 1724!).
His "Introductionis in Universam Geographicam tam veterem
quam novam libri", first printed in 1624, had even a more
impressive longevity, with issues in varying formats dating
until 1729 (or later).
Galliae veteris descriptio.
This diminutive map (4 3/4" X 3 ¾") was originally designed
and engraved by Petrus Bertius for the 1624 Universam Geographicam.
The present item was printed for a 1661 edition of this miniature
atlas.
The map shows a rather unusual political organization of the
roman colony with: only four provinces, namely: Celtae, Aquitani,
Belgae and Provincia Romanorum.
Notice that some major cities are nor shown, such as Lyon.
Notice also that good parts of Belgium, Luxemburg, Holland,
Germany and Switzerland are lumped together with France to
form the territory the Romans used to call the Gauls (Galliæ).
The costal delineation is much in line with the Ortelius seminal
map of 1570, with a typically atrophied Cotentin peninsula.
No text on verso.
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