Antique Print-MESSINA-MESSINE-SICILY-de Fer-1705

Subject: Antique print, titled: ”Messine Residence ordinaire du Viceroy de Sicile.” – View of Messina, residence of the King of Sicily, Italy.

Condition: Very good, given age. Very light soiling. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

Medium: Engraving on hand laid (verge type with chainlines) paper. Watermark: Grapes.

Size (in cm): The overall size is ca. 40.5 x 28 cm. The image size is ca. 33.3 x 22.7 cm.

Size (in inch): The overall size is ca. 15.9 x 11 inch. The image size is ca. 13.1 x 8.9 inch.

Part Number: 66405

Location: PCO-B1-11

Description: From: “Atlas Curieux […]”, by Nicolas de Fer, published in Paris, 1705.

Artists and Engravers: Made by an anonymous engraver after ‘Nicolas de Fer’. Nicholas de Fer (1646-1720) was the youngest son of Parisian print and map seller, Antoine de Fer [d.1673]. He became an official geographer to both French and Spanish kings. Nicholas de Fer was one of the most prolific and influential French geographers and cartographers of the late 17th and early 18th Century.

Description: From: “Cosmographie Universelle de tout le monde […]”, by Freancois Belleforest, published in Paris in 1575 by Nicolas Chesneau et Michel Sonnius. This is mostly a French translation of Sebastian Munsters “Cosmographia”, with additions from other sources. Most of the woodcuts were copied. As only one ed. was published the woodcuts are generally of a much better quality as Munster’s and rare.

Artists and Engravers: Made by ‘(Monogram RAMD)’ after an anonymous artist. We have not been able to determine the maker of these woodcuts yet: Monogram RAMD. Any input appreciated.