Frankrig - Valenciennes; J Blaeu - Valentiana - 1621-1650

Antique map of Valenciennes, France, published in 1649 by Joan Blaeu. This beautiful copper engraving features a detailed depiction of the city with height variations in buildings and homes. The map is in good condition, with a center fold as published, wide margins, slight browning along the edges and minor staining. Light brown spots extend into the image in the upper corners. There is a small tear in the bottom margin below the center fold, a repaired tear in the bottom right margin, and a restored tear on the verso. The map features exquisite old-fashioned coloring. The verso includes Dutch text. Joan Blaeu (1596-1673), the son of the famous cartographer Willem Blaeu, was a leading Dutch cartographer of the 17th century. His best-known work "Toonneel der Steden van de Vereenighde Nederlanden" (1649), a monumental town atlas, combines detailed maps and prints of Dutch towns with historical descriptions. This work provides valuable insights into the topography, architecture, and urban planning of the time and remains an important reference work for historians and enthusiasts of old maps. Valenciennes (Dutch name: Valencijn) is a northern French town in the Nord department, located on the Scheldt River. It's an industrial town (textiles, car industry) with 42,991 inhabitants as of January 1, 2021, but the center of an urban area with over 300,000 inhabitants. Valenciennes has a rich and varied history dating back to Roman times. In the Middle Ages, the city grew into an important trading center and became a prosperous textile town. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Valenciennes was known for its fine lace production, making it a center for art and craft. The city also experienced difficult times, particularly during the Eighty Years' War and later during the First and Second World Wars, where it was severely damaged. Despite these setbacks, Valenciennes has recovered and is today a dynamic city with a rich cultural heritage, including the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses numerous masterpieces. See also the images. Secure shipping.