With 40 [of 42?] (36 numbered double sheets, and 4 unnumbered) color double page map sheets and corresponding sheets of text, decorative double sheet title page with vignette. Text in French. (Folio) 35x26 cm (14x10"), original brown pebbled cloth with gilt embossed titling and decorations on spine and covers; marbled endpapers.

First published in 1854 and reissued through 1891, one of the most decorative atlases of the late nineteenth century. The majority of the maps feature one or more vignettes showcasing key cities or monuments from the region. Included are four (some other listings have cited 6) historical maps, a celestial chart, and two world maps, in addition to maps of countries on each continent. Each map is accompanied by two pages of text with geographical, political and historical information about the region.