17th Century Antique Map of Derbyshire "Comitatus Darbiensis" by Johannes Janssonius - Framed

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Description

An exceptional, genuine mid-17th-century hand-colored copperplate engraving of Derbyshire, England, titled "Comitatus Darbiensis" by the celebrated Dutch cartographer Johannes Janssonius … Read more An exceptional, genuine mid-17th-century hand-colored copperplate engraving of Derbyshire, England, titled "Comitatus Darbiensis" by the celebrated Dutch cartographer Johannes Janssonius (circa 1646). This highly decorative cartographic work features a striking, stylized title cartouche flanked by classical figures in the lower-left corner, and an elegant heraldic display in the upper right quadrant. The vignette showcases the beautifully detailed, individual historical coats of arms for prominent regional families including William de Ferrers, Edmund (Earl of Lancaster), John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster), and Thomas Stanley.
The reverse side of the frame features a custom glass aperture revealing the original double-column Old Dutch typography block ("Het Graafschap Darbye of Darbieshire"), providing definitive proof of its authentic origin from an early Dutch edition of Janssonius’s renowned Novus Atlas. The text block retains its original ornate woodcut initial letter drop-cap and the binder's signature alignment mark "DDD" at the foot of the page. Beautifully matted and presented in a stained wood frame.
Condition Report:
Excellent antique condition. The paper sheet exhibits the expected vertical center fold from its original 17th-century atlas binding. The paper shows beautifully preserved, vibrant hand-coloring with light, uniform, age-appropriate toning along the margins. The frame and glass are structurally sound and ready for display. See less