Mid-19th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

An original hand-colored map of the Département d'Indre-et-Loire created by Victor Levasseur in 1856. As an antique steel engraved map, it showcases the detailed craftsmanship and technology of mid-19th century map making. The method of steel engraving allowed for precise and intricate details to be captured, making this map not only a navigational tool but also a work of art. The addition of outline hand colouring is particularly noteworthy. This technique, where colours are applied by hand to the engraved map, was a common practice at the time to highlight certain features such as boundaries, rivers, and cities. The hand colouring on this map would have been done meticulously, adding vibrancy and clarity to the engraved lines and making it easier to differentiate various geographical and political demarcations. The map's wide margins are characteristic of the period's presentation style, offering space for additional annotations or simply serving to frame the map aesthetically when displayed. Such margins also suggest that the map was intended for a discerning audience, possibly for educational or decorative purposes in a library or study. Victor Levasseur was renowned for his decorative maps, often embellished with artistic elements that went beyond mere geographical information. These elements could include vignettes, allegorical figures, and detailed illustrations surrounding the map itself, reflecting the cultural, historical, and economic aspects of the depicted area. While the description does not detail these decorative aspects, it's common for Levasseur's works to feature such embellishments, making his maps highly prized among collectors and historians for both their artistic value and cartographic accuracy. This map of Département d'Indre-et-Loire, with its combination of technical precision in steel engraving and the beauty of hand colouring, represents a fascinating intersection of art and science in the 19th century. It is a testament to the era's dedication to detail, craftsmanship, and the aesthetic presentation of information. The Département d'Indre-et-Loire, located in the central part of France within the region known as the Centre-Val de Loire, is rich in historical and cultural significance, with numerous important places highlighted on a map from 1856 by Victor Levasseur. Based on the region's known historical sites and cities, the following places are likely to be featured or of importance: 1. **Tours**: As the capital city of the Département d'Indre-et-Loire, Tours is a central hub of history, culture, and architecture. It is known for its old town, the Place Plumereau, Tours Cathedral, and its proximity to the Loire River, making it a likely focal point on the map. 2. **Amboise**: This town is famous for the Château d'Amboise, which is closely linked to French royal history and offers panoramic views of the Loire River. Leonardo da Vinci is buried here in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, associated with the château. 3. **Chinon**: Known for its medieval fortress, the Château de Chinon, this town has deep historical roots, including connections to Joan of Arc and King Charles VII. The fortress and town would be significant landmarks. 4. **Villandry**: The Château de Villandry is renowned for its beautiful Renaissance gardens, which are some of the most impressive in France. While the château might be less emphasized in an 1856 map compared to cities and towns, it's an important site in the region. 5. **Loches**: This town features the Château de Loches, a medieval castle, and the Royal Lodge, noted for its Renaissance architecture. The town's history and architectural landmarks make it a place of interest. 6. **Azay-le-Rideau**: The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is set on an island in the middle of the Indre River, showcasing the French Renaissance architectural...

This original hand-colored map is from the "Atlas National Illustré," a work by Victor Levasseur, a French geographer and cartographer known for his richly illustrated maps. The map...

Antique map titled 'Mittel- und Nord-Africa (östl. Theil) und Arabien'. This map depicts North and Central Africa and Arabia with an inset map of Habesch (Ethiopia and Eritrea). ...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de la Marne'. Map of the French department of Marne, France. This department is home to the Champagne region where the world's finest sparkling wine is prod...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de la Creuse'. Map of the French department of Creuse, France. This region is well known for its apple cider made from Limousin apples and its international...

Antique map titled 'Dept. de la Nièvre'. Map of the French department of Nievre, France. Part of the prestiegous Burgundy or Bourgogne wine region this area is known for its producti...

Antique map titled 'Western Hemisphere'. Original antique map of the western hemisphere. This map originates from 'An Atlas of the World, Comprehending Separate Maps of its...

Original antique map titled 'Nord-America'. Old map of North America and the West Indies. Also showing British Overseas Territories and Hudson Bay. This map originates from Stiel...

Antique map titled 'The City of St. Louis Missouri - The City of Chicago Illinois'. Dual map on single page showing St. Louis and Chicago. Finely produ...

A large and impressive Jesus College, Cambridge University Rowing Presentation salt glazed pottery tyg by Brampton dated 1869. The large stoneware tyg is of cylindrical shape standin...

Antique map titled 'Afrique'. Uncommon map of Africa. Published by or after A.H. Dufour, circa 1834. Source unknown, to be determined.

19th century finest bronze group statue. This excellent quality and very refined sculpture of Christ with children is another one of our recent great finds. Anyone who knows what it takes to create a bronze sculpture from start to finish realizes how special these works of art really are. For us to have found this rare, antique specimen more than made our day. Firstly, because we love the subject matter and secondly, because antique bronzes always are the best when it comes to the details and the patina. Both the serenity in Jesus' face and the way His cloth is perfectly draped around His sitting body are details that never fail to impress. The angelic faces of the two children who are clearly enjoying to be in His presence, make this meaningful and striking sculpture even more pleasant to look at. This handcrafted and antique work of beauty simply warms your heart and it will look marvelous, no matter where you decide to have it on display. Our price for this work of religious art...

Antique map titled 'Humboldt's System of Isothermal Lines'. Original antique map showing isotherm lines throughout the world. This map originates from 'The Physical Atlas of Natural ...

Antique map titled 'United States'. Four individual sheets of the United States. This map originates from 'Lowry's Table Atlas constructed and engraved from the most recent Authoriti...

The "Vintage Geographic Splendor: 1859 Spain and Portugal" map is an original antique piece from 'The Imperial Atlas of Modern Geography', published ...

Antique map of part of the United States showing Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and part of Florida. With inset maps of the southern ...

The item for sale is a Tular silver snuffbox. It has an oval shape and the lid is engraved with a Moscow landmark building in an ornamental frame. Th...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. des Htes. Pyrénées'. Map of the French department of Hautes Pyrenees, France. This area is home to the wine producing region, Madiran. Madrian is best known...

Antique map titled 'Carte Esférica de la Isla Y Mar de Java'. Large chart of the island and sea of Java, Indonesia. Beautiful nautical chart, published 1863 in Spain.

19th century Italian Confraternity Voting Urn of Tuscan origin realized with turned and carved poplar wood. The barrel-shaped central body, in which hands were inserted to insert the ballot ball into one of the two holes connected to the small drawer below, where on the front we find the inscription YES and NO related to voting, SI and NO, in order to distinguish for and against votes on paper, then collected in two separate small drawers, just below. Standing on four curly feet, it has a beautiful curved handle and carved parts at both ends, highlighted by ebonized details. In a fraternity, this ballot box was used to collegially adjudicate community choices. In good age related condition, with sogns of wear and use. This antique Italian ballot wooden box, carved and painted, coming from Tuscany, in Central Italy. This ballot urn is an excellent example of a 19th century wooden voting box...

Antique map titled 'Map of the Duchy of Holstein with the territories of the Imperial Towns Hamburg & Lubeck (..) Based on a map by Fischer.' Map of the Duchy of Holstein. From Jam...

An unusual and rare English potlid believed to depict Jenny Lind and attributed to Ridgway and dating from around 1850. The lid is printed with a lady seated in a garden landscape in a rather elegant white ball gown...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de l'Aisne'. Map of the French department of l'Aisne, France. The whole is surrounded by elaborate decorative engravings designed to illustrate both the nat...

Antique map titled 'Asie Ottomane ou Turquie d'Asie'. Attractive map of Turkey in Asia. The map covers the Asian territories claimed by the Turkish Ottoman Empire c.1850 from the Bla...

Antique map titled 'India. Northern Part'. Original antique map of Northern India. Drawn and engraved by J. Archer. Publishes by H.G. Collins, ci...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. du Cher'. Map of the French department of Cher, France. This area of France is known for its production of Selles Sur Cher, a goats-milk cheese. The whole i...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de l'Aube'. Map of the French department of Aube, France. This area of France is known for its production of Chaource, a soft and salted cheese. Aube is par...

Antique costume print titled 'Jésuite missionnaire à la Chine'. Original antique print of a Jesuit in China. This print originates from 'Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les pe...

Antique print titled 'Jesuite Missionnaire a la Chine'. Print of a Jesuit Missionary in China. This print originates from 'Histoire et Costumes des Ordres Religieux'. Artists ...

Antique print titled 'Syracus'. View of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. Originates from 'Meyers Universum'. Artists and Engravers: Joseph Meyer (May 9, 1796 - June 27, 1856) was a Germa...

This map originates from ‘Atlas National de la France Illustré’. Published by A. Combette, Paris, 1854.

"Chippeway Widow" hand-painted color lithograph on paper depicts a Native American Indian woman lamenting the death of her husband, presum...

Antique map titled 'Upper Nubia and Abyssinia'. Depicting Habesh (or Abyssinia), Arabia, Upper Nubia and more. This map originates from the ‘Royal Atlas of Modern Geography’ by Alexa...

Antique map titled 'The World in Hemispheres with other projections'. Original antique map of The World. This map originates from ‘The Imperial Atlas of Modern Geography’. Published ...

Antique portolano, nautical map of Port De Chichimé Natolie engraved on a copper plate by Antoine Roux, Marseille France 1844, from his work Recueil des principaux plans des ports et...

Pompeiana The Topography, Edifices and Ornaments of Pompeii by Sir William Gell, complete in two 1/4 leather tall octavo volumes with marbleized boards. 82 full page engraved plates ...

Antique map titled 'Belgium and The Netherlands'. This map originates from the ‘Royal Atlas of Modern Geography’ by Alexander Keith Johnston. Published by William Blackwood and Sons,...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. du Calvados'. Map of the French department of Calvados, France. This area of France is known for its production of Calvados, the world's fines apple brandy....

Antique map titled 'Carte de L'Empire Chinois et du Japon'. Map of the Chinese Empire (China) and Japan. This map originates from 'Atlas universel de géographie ancienne et moderne (...

Antique map titled 'Dépt. de l'Orne'. Map of the French department of Orne, France. This area, part of Normandy, includes the village of Camembert, where the famous Camembert cheese ...

Description: Antique costume print titled 'Sergent Suisse de la Garde du Pape'. Old print depicting a Swiss sergeant of the Pope's guard. This print originates from 'Costumes Moder...

Antique map titled 'Russie d'Europe'. Attractive map of Russia in Europe, covers the European portions of Russia from the Arctic Sea south to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. This map ...

Antique map titled 'London'. Original antique map of the city of London. This map originates from 'Abrégé de Géographie (..)' by Adrien Balbi. Published 1847.

Set of 4 antique battle plans. Included are: 1) Battle of Hohenlinden 3d. December 1800 2) Battle of Echmühl 22. April 1809 3) Battle of Arensberg 20. Ap...

Antique map titled 'Carte des États-Unis d'Amérique'. Map of the United States of America (USA). This map originates from 'Atlas universel...

Antique print titled 'Bajaderen von Pondichery, Bajadères de Pondichery'. This print depicts musicians from Pondicherry, India. Europeans referred to exotic Indian dancers as...

1834 Mexico & Guatemala map of published by H.S. Tanner, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Engraved by J. Knight. As found high end custom framing with carved wood frame, custom matting a...

Antique map titled 'South America, Northern Sheet'. Depicting Guiana, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia the Amazones and more. This map originates from the ‘Royal Atlas of Modern Geography’ b...

Antique print titled 'Gezicht van het Bolwerk op de Maas'. Old print depicting an ice skating scene in the Netherlands. This print originates from 'Het ijs vermaak op de Maas te ...

19th century, chrome steel Austrian balance, by J. Florenz Wien, 11 brass weights, 5 kg. This precious antique table scale was from the famous Caffè Florian in Venice Caffè Florian is a historic café in the city of Venice, located under the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove in Piazza San Marco. It is the oldest Italian coffee and the oldest coffee in the world. It was inaugurated on December 29, 1720 by Floriano Francesconi with the name of Alla Venezia Trionfante, but immediately the Venetians simply said “andemo da Florian-let's go to Florian”, from the name of the owner in the Venetian dialect. Since then it has continued its daily coffee business uninterruptedly to the present day, becoming a favorite destination for Venetians, Italians and foreigners. Floriano Francesconi inspired the character of Ridolfo in Carlo Goldoni's coffee shop. Giacomo Casanova courted the ladies there and Carlo Goldoni entered as a boy. Famous people such as Gasparo Gozzi, Giuseppe Parini, Silvio Pellico, Lord Byron, Ugo...

Antique map titled 'France'. Original antique map of France. This map originates from 'Abrégé de Géographie (..)' by Adrien Balbi. Published 1847.

First edition 'Le Jardin des Plantes, description et moeurs des mammifèeres de la menagerie et du muséum d'histoire naturelle' by M. Boitard, publis...

One nicely hand coloured print of an original serie of 23 plates, showing officers and soldiers resting near a village. published in 1833. Rare. From a serie of beautiful lithographed plates with Belgian military...

Antique map titled 'South Africa'. Original antique map of South Africa. This decorative original old map originates from 'An Atlas of th...

Description: Antique map titled 'Amerika'. Small map of North and South America. This map originates from the Dutch publication 'De Aarde, beschouwd in haren Natuurlijken Toestan...

Antique map titled 'Carte Particuliere l'Angleterre (..)'. Original antique map of the British Isles and part of the coast of France. It shows England and part of Wales. Published by...

Antique map titled 'Carta d'Inghilterra e del Principato di Galles'. Detailed map of Britain, Wales and the coast of Ireland with a list of counties. This map originates from 'Nuovo ...

Antique map titled 'Russia in Europe'. Old map of Russia in Europe. This map originates from 'Sharpe's Corresponding Atlas (..)' by J. Sharpe. Artists and Engravers: Published by Chapman and Hall.

Antique map titled 'Sibérie ou Russie d'Asie'. Attractive map of Russia in Asia and Siberia. This map originates from Maison Basset's 1852 edition of 'Atlas Illustre Destine a l'ense...

Antique map titled 'England'. Original antique map of England, with decorative vignette of stonehenge. Engraved by R. Scott. Published by Fulla...