1797 Jean Map of Paris and the Faubourgs, France
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Description: An extraordinary map of pre-Haussmann Paris and the early Faubourgs (suburbs) issued in 1797, during the final days of the Directory and the French Revolution and just two years before rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Covers Paris on Both sides of the Seine from the Champ de Mars to Le Trone, extends north as far as Montmarte and south roughly to Port Royal. Produced at the height of French dominance of the cartographic arts, this maps is a masterpiece of the engraver's art. Individual buildings, fields, streets, hills, valleys, orchards, and public gardens are revealed in breathtaking detail. We can even see the incomplete state of the northern wing of the Louvre Palace. There is an elaborate street index on either side of the map. In the lower right quadrant appears a list of names of the Ministers of the Republic and members of the Directoire Exécutif. An allegorical title cartouche containing cherubs, a maiden, and a view of the a bridge (the Pont Neuf ?) appears in the upper left quadrant.
This type of map, known as a Pocket or Case Maps, is designed with the traveler in mind and while it display's beautifully unfolded, is designed to fold and fit in a vest or coat pocket. It accordance with its purpose, the map has been dissected and mounted on linen in 24 sections. This system was devised in the 18th century to protect folding maps against damage caused by repeated folding and unfolding. The linen backing absorbs the stress of folding and can easily be mended or replaced, this preserving the integrity of the actual paper document. Folded this map fits into a beautiful brown tooled leather slip case , which is included.
Date: 1797 (dated)
Cartographer: Chez Jean (fl. 1797 - c. 1829) was a French publishing house active in Paris during the late 18th and the early 19th centuries during the Napoleonic Period. The firm seems to have produced a large corpus of books, maps, and engravings, but despite this, they remain obscure and little is known of their history. Their offices were first located t no. 32 Rue Jean de Beauvais, then at 10 Rue Jean de Beauvais. Click here for a list of rare maps by Chez Jean.
Size: Printed area measures 39 x 26 inches (99.06 x 66.04 centimeters)
Condition: Very good. Paper is in excellent condition with only minor wear at edges. This map has been dissected and mounted on sailcloth in 24 sections. Original linen backing intact but extremely worn and fragile - split at a few points. Comes with its original leather binder, which is in very good condition.
Code: Paris-jean-1797 (Necessary for phone inquiries: 646-320-8650)
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