c. 1780 Seutter and Lotter map of Basel and canton, Switzerland

$300.00 CAD

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A detailed map of the Canton of Basel in Switzerland, showing the cities of Basel and Rheinfelden on the Rhine, and all other major towns, waterways, forests and elevation.

The title is within an elaborate allegorical cartouche showing classical figures, such as Neptune and Mercury, Justitia. lower left, and a vignette of Basel within another lower right. Decorated with heraldic crests indicating the different principalities.

Map made by Matthäus Seutter (1678-1757), engraved by Tobias Conrad Lotter (1717-1777), Augsburg Germany.

Titled ‘Pagi Basileensis, qui pars est reipublicae Helvetiorum…

Written “Bale” on the back.

Made up of 8 panels, mounted on linen and fold-able. Beautifully hand-colored. 

Some staining mostly along edges, general wear, small hole on main fold not affecting paper, rust spot UR.

58,5 x 49,5 cm

 

Matthäus Seutter (1678-1757) was one of the most important and prolific German map publishers of the 18th century.

Seutter moved to Nuremberg where he apprenticed as an engraver under the tutelage of the prominent J. B. Homann. Sometime in the early 18th century Seutter left Homann to establish his own independent cartographic publishing firm in Augsburg. Though he struggled in the early years of his independence, Seutter’s engraving skill and commitment to diversified map production eventually gained him a substantial following.

By 1732 Seutter was one of the most prolific publishers of his time and was honored by the German Emperor Charles VI with the title of “Imperial Geographer”. Seutter continued to publish until his death, at the height of his career, in 1757. The Seutter firm continued under Seutter’s wastrel son Albrecht Carl until his death in 1762. Following Albrecht’s death, the firm was divided between the established Probst firm and the emerging firm of Tobias Conrad Lotter. Lotter, Matthäus Seutter’s son in law, was a master engraver and worked on behalf of the Seutter firm. Lotter would eventually become one of the most prominent cartographers of his day.

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