About this Item
Antique map titled 'Partie Meridionale Des Etats de Castille (.)'. Decorative and highly detailed map of the southern part of Castile, Spain, including a decorative cartouche. Published R. Vaugondy, circa 1760. Description for a Catalogue: This beautifully detailed map titled *"Partie Meridionale des Etats de Castille"* was created in 1762 by the renowned French cartographer Robert de Vaugondy, who was appointed geographer to King Louis XV. The map, part of his extensive atlas work, presents an intricate depiction of southern Spain and Castile, including key regions such as *La Castille Vieille*, *Estremadure*, *Andalousie*, the *Kingdoms of Grenade* and *Murcie*, as well as parts of *Aragon* containing the *Kingdom of Valencia*. The map is adorned with a decorative cartouche that highlights its artistic value, featuring pastoral elements such as a sheep, indicative of the rural nature of the depicted regions. Important Places Highlighted on the Map: - **Madrid**: The capital of Spain, centrally located on the map, is marked prominently, reflecting its importance. - **Granada**: Positioned in the Kingdom of Grenade, Granada is historically significant as the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain. - **Seville (Sevilla)**: Located in the region of Andalousie, Seville is shown near the Guadalquivir River, emphasizing its role as a major trade center. - **Valencia**: Found in the Kingdom of Valencia, this coastal city is noted for its historic and economic importance in the Mediterranean. - **Cadiz**: A vital port city in the southwest, located near the Strait of Gibraltar, Cadiz is highlighted as a key maritime gateway. - **Gibraltar**: Strategically important, this region is depicted near the southernmost tip of Spain, controlling access between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Notable Features: - The map is meticulously engraved, displaying mountain ranges, rivers, and cities with high precision. - The regions are color-coded by hand, a common practice in 18th-century cartography to distinguish different territories. - The inclusion of decorative elements around the cartouche adds to the aesthetic appeal of the map, making it not just a geographical tool but also a work of art. This map is a valuable historical document for collectors and those interested in the cartographic history of Spain, offering insight into the political and geographical landscape of the Iberian Peninsula during the 18th century. Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766) and his son Didier Robert de Vaugondy (1723-1786) were leading cartographers in France during the 18th century. They served both as geographer to the king of France. The father, Gilles is also known as 'Le Sieur' or 'Monsieur Robert'. He descended from the Nicolas Sanson family through Sanson's grandson Pierre Moulard-Sanson, from whom he inherited Sanson's cartographic material. After Hubert Jaillot died in 1712, the Vaugondy's acquired numerous copies of his maps and plates, which formed the basis of their beautiful Atlas Universel (1757).
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