Perchensis Comitatus, La Perche Comté & Comitatus Blesensis, Blaisois
Cartographer / Artist: Willem Janszoon Blaeu and Jean Temporée
Date Created: c. 1635
Medium: Copperplate map with hand coloring
Physical Dimensions: 22.4 × 18.7 inches
Geographic Scope: Le Perche and Blaisois, Centre-Val de Loire, France
Archive Catalog ID: fp8-img-2176
Provenance: The Dr. Joseph R. Rubini Archive
Collection: 17th–19th Century French & Iberian Surveys
This fine double-map folio sheet depicts two historical provinces of central-western France: the County of Perche (Perchensis Comitatus) on the left panel and the County of Blois (Comitatus Blesensis or Blaisois) on the right panel. Published in Amsterdam by Willem Janszoon Blaeu, the Blaisois map credits the French regional mapping of mathematician and cartographer Jean Temporée (Ioanne Temporio). Together, the maps provide a comprehensive geographical snapshot of the region during the early seventeenth century, a period when Dutch cartographic masterworks dominated European atlas production. The left map focuses on the rolling hills, dense forests, and river networks of Le Perche, noting key towns such as Nogent-le-Rotrou, Mortagne, and Belleme alongside prominent features like the Forest of Montmirail. The right map highlights the strategic and fertile Loire Valley around the royal city of Blois, tracing the course of the Loire River between Orléans and Tours. Both panels are adorned with fine Mannerist cartouches flanked by putti, scale bars in French miles (Milliaria Gallica), and meticulously engraved topographical details indicating settlements, woodlands, and mountain ridges.
Condition: Light age toning across the sheet with occasional minor foxing spots primarily confined to the wide margins.. Original central fold as issued with strong paper stability and clear plate impressions.. Minor pencil manuscript annotations in the lower outer margin, easily mattable.




