BLAEU, Johan (1596-1673). Le Grand Atlas ou Cosmographie Blauiana.Amsterdam: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, 1967. 12 volumes. Large folio (528 x 325 mm). Illustrated with 609 mostly double-page maps (partly colored). Original imitation panelled vellum decorated in gilt, spine stamped in gilt in compartments, 6 raised bands, two gilt lettered labels. Condition: small indentation to upper cover of vol. I, small nick to spine of vol. VIII, occasional light shelfwear to covers. NUMBER 243 OF 1,000 COPIES. A fine facsimile edition of the first French edition of Blaeu's Atlas Maior. Johan Blaeu first published his most famous atlas in Latin in 1662, but considerably expanded his text for France, Asia and America in the first French edition of 1663, reproduced here. The copy reproduced, now at the Amsterdam University Library, belonged to Jean Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV's Minister of Finance, and bears Johan Blaeu's dedication inscription, dated 1 January 1664. Additional maps are reproduced from the Bibliotheca Thysiana in Leiden. (12)