TASSIN, Christophe Nicolas (d. 1660). Cartes generale et particulieres de toutes les costes de France, tant de la mer Oceane que Mediterraneé. [Paris: Cramoisy -Tavernier-Messager, 1634].

TASSIN, Christophe Nicolas (d. 1660). Cartes generale et particulieres de toutes les costes de France, tant de la mer Oceane que Mediterraneé. [Paris: Cramoisy -Tavernier-Messager, 1634].

Important sea-atlas designed to assist with French coastal defence. As a military engineer, Tassin understood the importance of using original first-hand observational drawings by other military engineers, and combined these with material from other cartographers to create the 29 maps found here. The first part charts the Atlantic coastline from Calais to San Sebastian; the second the Mediterranean coast between the Spanish border and Villefranche. Two variant imprints appeared in the same year, but no priority has been established. The present example corresponds with other copies seen by Pastoreau, and is bound without a general title. Pastoureau Tassin V; see Nordenskiöld 292; Tooley p. 42.

2 parts in one volume, oblong folio (285 by 430 mm). Text in French and Latin. 2 engraved section titles, folding general chart serving as sheet index and 29 full-page engraved coastal charts (bound without the general title as in other copies, short repaired tear to the folding chart). Contemporary limp vellum (staining). Provenance: ?Antoine Lamane (ownership inscription on the first title) – Gustave Labat (d. 1917, scholar and erudite from Bordeaux; exlibris on verso of upper cover).

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