EDWARD WELLS

This splendid map depicts the Rhine River valley from its headwaters in southern Switzerland to where it empties into the North Sea in the Netherlands. The map is fully engraved with the tributaries of the Rhine, hundreds of towns, political boundaries, and even graphic depictions of mountains and forests. Oriented with north to the right, the map is embellished with a large allegorical cartouche featuring Bacchus, river gods, and woodland animals. A decorative cartouche at top right dedicates the map to Andreae Bickero. The distance scale includes a row of putti holding the coats of arms of the regions represented in the map. Blank verso. On two sheets, professionally joined.