Rare map of Beauce, from Jean Boisseau's Theatre Des Gaules, first published in 1642.

The map extends from Paris and the Seine River in the north to the Loire River in the south, centered on Chartes.

All of Boisseau's maps are rare. As noted in Mapforum.com

Jean Boisseau, a Parisian map publisher, is recorded as a 'master illuminator' in 1631 and a 'map colourist' from 1635 - "Enlumineur de cartes marines " / " Enlumineur du Roy pour les cartes geographiques ". Boisseau published his first map Diocese d'Aire in 1635, and a number of his own maps from 1636. However, Mirielle Pastoureau in "Les Atlas Francais" lists only one edition of Boisseau's atlas Theatre des Gaules, dated 1642. . . . A later 1648 edition of Boisseau's atlas has also been recorded.

While Pastereau noted that Boisseau issued no maps after 1648, maps by Boisseau dated as late as 1657 are known.

A map with an identical title is listed in the British Museum (Library) collection as "chez F. de la Pointe." We were not able to locate auction or dealer catalogue records for the map. The present example was purchased in Paris in November 2009.