Antique Map of Morbihan by Vuillemin – France Département Map c.1850

€ 220

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1850
Mapmaker / artist: Alexandre Vuillemin, Paris, circa 1850
Technique: Engraving with original hand coloring
Sheet size: 26.1 × 32.5 cm (10.3 × 12.8 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-13331-55

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. Minor age-toning near the edges. Light foxing in outer margins. Plate mark visible. No tears or repairs.

About this sheet

Antique Map of Morbihan by Vuillemin – France Département Map c.1850

This finely engraved and delicately hand-colored map of the département of Morbihan in Brittany, France, was published around 1850 by Alexandre Vuillemin. It forms part of his acclaimed decorative atlas La France Illustrée, celebrated for its rich blend of cartographic detail and artistic embellishments.

The map highlights the roadways, rivers, and borders of the region, framed by detailed vignettes that showcase local culture, architecture, and historical figures. In the upper corners are a crest of Morbihan and a figure of Bisson, officer of the artillery, commemorating military achievement. At the bottom, a coastal vignette shows the port city of Vannes, anchoring the department’s maritime heritage.

The territory of Morbihan is bordered in pink, with surrounding departments finely delineated. The rivers and key roads are traced in blue, red, green, and yellow, enhancing the topographical clarity. Named after the “little sea” (Mor-Bihan in Breton), the department is famous for its coastal character and prehistoric legacy.

Fifty notable places are labeled across the map, offering a layered narrative of the region’s culture and significance:

Each of these locations contributes to the region’s narrative, whether through historical events, architectural significance, or geographical identity. The Gulf of Morbihan’s intricate inland sea, surrounded by islands, provides a dramatic southern border to the map and reinforces the region’s enduring maritime character.

Condition report: Very good condition. Minor age-toning near the edges. Light foxing in outer margins. Plate mark visible. No tears or repairs.

Framing tips: This decorative map will pair well with a wide ivory or cream mat and a black or dark oak wooden frame. To highlight the hand-coloring, a double mat with an inner line in rose pink or sea blue would echo the coastal hues of the département.