Illustrated Larousse Atlas. - Lot 23

Illustrated Larousse Atlas. Paris, Librairie Larousse, early 20th century. Large quarto, publisher’s red cloth binding, cold-stamped decoration on the covers, and a prominent gilt title on the spine. A remarkable, richly illustrated encyclopedic geographical atlas, designed to provide a comprehensive view of the world at the turn of the 20th century. The work combines extensive geographical, historical, and economic documentation with particularly rich illustrations, reflecting the educational ambitions of the major Larousse publications of that era. It is illustrated with 42 color maps and 1,158 photographic reproductions, depicting cities, monuments, landscapes, archaeological sites, scenes of daily life, ports, industries, and populations from around the world. The plates devoted to Europe, the Near East, North Africa, and the French colonies now constitute a valuable visual record of the geography and perception of the world prior to the major upheavals of the 20th century. The particularly abundant photographic illustrations give this atlas a documentary value that far exceeds its mere cartographic use, making it a true visual encyclopedia of its time. Condition A fine copy in its original cloth binding. The spine is slightly rubbed at the cap and joints. The gilt lettering is well preserved. The edges are green-stained. The interior is fresh, and the maps and illustrations are well preserved. There are a few signs of wear typical for this type of book.