19th Century Map of Loir-et-Cher, France – Blois, Vendôme, Loire Valley Castles
€ 140
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Mapmaker / artist
Alexandre Vuillemin, France, mid-19th century
Technique
Engraving with original hand color
Sheet size
26.1 × 32.5 cm (10.3 × 12.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13331-40
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Condition report: Very good condition. Strong impression with vivid original hand coloring. Minor toning and faint foxing around the sheet edges, not intruding into the printed area.
About this sheet
Antique Map of Loir-et-Cher, France by Vuillemin, 19th Century
A beautifully engraved 19th-century map of the département of Loir-et-Cher, drawn and engraved by Alexandre Vuillemin. The map shows towns, rivers, roads, and departmental boundaries highlighted with original hand-color.
The decorative embellishments are especially notable: on the left, portraits of King Louis XII of France and the poet Pierre Ronsard, both natives of the region. The coat of arms of Loir-et-Cher is depicted in the upper corner, while a finely detailed vignette shows the banks of the Loire River with its picturesque châteaux and river life.
Loir-et-Cher, part of the Centre-Val de Loire region, is historically renowned for its grand Renaissance castles such as Chambord, Cheverny, and Blois, all along the Loire Valley, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This map not only illustrates the geography of the département but also pays tribute to its cultural and historical legacy.
Alexandre Vuillemin (1812–1880), a French cartographer, produced these département maps with a characteristic blend of precision and decorative flourish, making them highly sought after by collectors today.
Condition report: Very good condition. Strong impression with vivid original hand coloring. Minor toning and faint foxing around the sheet edges, not intruding into the printed area.
Framing tips: A dark wood or black frame with ivory matting would present this map elegantly, allowing the blue hand coloring and engraved portraits to stand out. Adding a gilt fillet would further highlight the decorative elements.
