VANDERMAELEN, PHILIPE 

Atlas Universel De Geographie Physique, Politique, Statistique et Mineralogique Sur L'echelle De 1/1641836 Ou D'une Ligne Par 1900 Toises. Brussels: 1827

6 vols., folios (14 3/4 x 20 7/8 in.; 375 x 531 mm). 6 printed half-titles, 6 titles, dedication, 44pp., "Statistique de l'Europe", 7 lithographed index maps, one 💎of comparative heights, and 382 double-page maps by H🍷enri Ode, handcolored in outline; some foxing to text leaves; a few stray spots to maps, minor toning. Uniformly bound half polished tree calf over tan paper covered boards, gilt-lettered black morocco labels to spines, numbered tabs to foredges; overall rubbed, corners bumped with occasional loss, some spotting and minor staining to boards.

First edition of the first lithographed atlas. Vandermaelen was renowned for his many detailed 🔯maps of Brussels, completed one example of the monumental globe that these maps were produced to create. It was housed in a custom-made room, more than 23 feet in diameter. It remains🐽 the largest image of the earth's surface available to a 19th century audience. Includes important large-scale depictions of the American West, the Far East and Australia.

REFERENCE:

Koeman III, Vdm 1; NMM 3:179; Philips, Atlases 749