1839 Piquet Folding Case Map of Paris, France

This is a stunning large format map of Paris issued in 1839 by Pierre-Jacques Picquet. Centered on the Seine River, the map covers from the Champ de Mars eastward to Place du Trone. This map was first issued for administrative use during the Napoleonic era in November 1804 by Pierre-Jacques' father, Charles Picquet. It was the first of a series of maps designed to illustrate the many grand civic works and reconstructions that redefined Paris under the French Emperor Napoleon I, and the subsequent Bourbon Restoration monarchs, Louis XVIII, Charles X, and Louis Philippe I. Thus the exceptionally meticulous original color work referencing the detailed Explication des Couleurs in the lower left quadrant which identifies public buildings, monuments in progress, and monuments completed, mansions, town halls, and more. Issued here in 1839, this map chronicles some 30 years of rapid civic construction throughout Paris.

The Picquet's were remarkable in their tenacity with which they maintined and grew their government sponsored publishing contracts throughout the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Era, and the Bourbon Restoration. Early editions were dedicated to Joachim Murat, Marshal of the Empire and brother-in-law to the Emperor Napoleon I. After the fall of Napoleon, Picquet reworked the dedication to honor the Duc D'Orleans and the King of France, at the time Louis Philippe I.