Atlas universel de géographie physique, politique, statistique et minéralogique, sur l'échelle 1/1641836 ou d'une ligne par 1900 toises [...], lithographié par H. Ode.

6 vol., plano, 54,5 x 37,5 cm, 387 + 1 maps (vol. 1: the "Statistique", 42 p., and "Tableau comparatif des principales hauteurs du globe" are bound before the title and dedication; the pl. of the "Statistique" are not in correct order; vol. 5: 2 editions of [f. 18] Partie du Brèsil. N° 16, so + 1 pl., [f. 30] Partie du Brésil. N°[28] is numbered "18"; minor foxing mostly on titles).

Three-quarter morocco, gilt orn. spines, marbled paper covers (a few traces of wear).

First edition of this monumental lithogr. atlas dedicated to the King of Netherlands and publ. in instalments between 1825 & 1827. With all the maps in orig. hand col. Contains 6 general maps of the continents and 29 (Europe), 111 (Asia), 60 (Africa), 77 (North America), 44 (South America) & 60 (Oceania) double-paged maps. The 1st vol. on Europe also contains "Statistique de l'Europe d'après Hassel" in 2nd ed. with table, errata and "Statistique de la Turquie" and the "Tableau comparatif des principales hauteurs du globe".
Philippe Vandermaelen's "Atlas universel" consists of approximately 380 conically projected sheets of maps and 40 pages of statistical tables in six volumes. This folio-size atlas is remarkable for several reasons. It is the first atlas produced by the then new printing process of lithography. It is also the first atlas to show the whole world in maps using a large uniform scale - about 26 miles to the inch. Moreover, the maps are designed to be joined into a three-dimensional terrestrial globe with a diameter of approximately 7.75 meters. Eventually, the atlas renders the most detailed maps made at the time, or according to a contemporary: "Les grands traits du monde sont connus; les détails seuls sont laissés à notre persévérance."
Ref. Koeman III, Vdm 1. - Inventaire raisonné des collections cartographiques Vandermaelen, Atlas [1] and [3].