Velky Saris-Slovakia,- Zaros Superioris Hungariae Civitas, & propugnaculum.

RARE only included in part VI of his town book. Panoramic town-view of Velky Saris in Slovakia by G. Hoefnagel and son, 1617.

CAPTION: Sárospatak, city, and fortress in Upper Hungary.

Signed and dated bottom right: Procured by Georg Hoefnagel, in the year 1617.

CAPTION: Sárospatak, city and fortress in Upper Hungary.

Signed bottom right: Procured by Georg Hoefnagel, in the year 1617.

COMMENTARY BY BRAUN (on verso): "This fortress, blessed by art and by nature, lies in the northern part of Upper Hungary. It is on a high hill, which is full of trees and bushes on the one side and fruitful vines on the other. Below the hill flows a stream that drives several mills. On the level ground on this side of the river, there are many fine estates and charming gardens, as well as other farmhouses, so that it has the appearance of a suburb. But the other side of the river is full of hills and mountains on which good vines grow."

Braun G. & Hogenberg F. and the Civitates Orbis Terrarum.

The Civitates Orbis Terrarum, or the "Braun & Hogenberg", is a six-volume town atlas and the greatest book of town views and plans ever published: 363 engravings, sometimes beautifully colored. It was one of the best-selling works in the last quarter of the 16th century. Georg Braun wrote the text accompanying the plans and views on the verso. A large number of the plates were engraved after the original drawings of Joris Hoefnagel (1542-1600), who was a professional artist.
The first volume was published in Latin in 1572, the sixth volume in 1617. Frans Hogenberg created the tables for volumes I through IV, and Simon van den Neuwel created those for volumes V and VI. Other contributors were cartographer Daniel Freese, and Heinrich Rantzau. Works by Jacob van Deventer, Sebastian Münster, and Johannes Stumpf were also used. Translations appeared in German and French.

Reference: Van der Krogt 4, 3872; Fauser, 12560; Taschen, Braun and Hogenberg, p.480.