Merian, Matthaeus - Martin Zeiller

Topographia provinciarum Austriacaru[m], Austriae, Styriae, Carinthiae...das ist Beschreibung und Abbildung der fuernebsten Staat und Plaetz in den Oesterreichischen Landen.... Frankfurt am Main: Matthaeus Merian, 1649



Folio (12 3/8 x 8 1/8 in.; 314 x 206 mm). Etched title, 8 double-page engraved maps, 88 mostly double-page engraved plates with captions in Italian; quires A-B probably supplied, 4^{th plate "Föklabrugg" on thinner lighter paper, repaired tears in leaves A4, C1 and E1 affecting but not obscuring text, a few other small mends, some marginal soiling. Contemporary vellum with yapp edges, manuscript title on spine; soiled with a few stains, lower portion of backstrip mended.}

Schuchardt, Die Zeiller-Merianschen Topographieen (1896), no. 1; Millard Northern European 76

First edition of this topographical description of Austria and its possessions, containing maps, plans and many views of walled cities, fortresses and castles, some including figures in contemporary costume.

The Swiss engraver and publisher Merian (1593-1650) began his topographic volumes in 1642 with German geographer Martin Zeiller (1589-1661) and was able to complete ten before his death; the series was continued by his heirs and ran to approximately thirty volumes by 1688. His is a highly esteemed work for its revelations about architecture, and the political topography of contemporary Europe.