Germany, Low Countries, Poland, Baltics 1645

Melchior Tavernier

€ 450

Inter-Antiquariaat Mefferdt & De Jonge

• About the artwork
  Carte generale de L'Empire d'Allemagne et pays circonvoisins… Copper engraving by Melchior Tavernier, published in Paris 1645, with original hand colouring. Size: 56,4 x 41,4 cm. Early imprint of this fine map of Germany, Poland, the Low Countries, Switzerland and Austria. The map was first published by Melchior Tavernier and later by Pierre Mariette. This edition carries the dates 1642 and 1645, with the address of Mariette in the title. Nicolas Sanson was to bring about the rise of French cartography, although the fierce competition of the Dutch publishers would last until the end of the century. His success was partly owed to the partnership with the publisher Pierre Mariette. In 1644 the latter had purchased the business of Tavernier, and helped Sanson with financial support in producing the maps. In 1657 Marriette died, however his son, also named Pierre, co-published Les Cartes Générales de toutes les parties du Monde the following year. It was the first French produced folio world atlas. Price: Euro450,-
• About the artist

  Melchior Tavernier I (1564 - 1641) was a French engraver of Flemish descent. Born in Antwerp, he was the son of Gabriel Tavernier and father of Melchior Tavernier II (1584 – 1665). He may have studied under Ortelius in Antwerp.

  His father Gabriel Tavernier is credited for introducing the roller press to Paris. He had the distinction of being Imprimeur en Tailles-douces de la Maison de Sa Majesté. Tavernier's workshop was located near the Pont Marchand, where apparently several other printers, including Gobert and Collet, also maintained businesses.

  Melchior Tavernier is the brother of the celebrated writer and traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689). Tavernier engraved several important maps for figures such as Samuel de Champlain, and others. Melchior Tavernier II's work is difficult to distinguish from that of his son, Melchior Tavernier II.

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