Remarkable album bringing together three of Alexandre Schaepkens (1815-1899) most important series devoted to Maastricht and its surroundings, including the extremely rare third part. Richly illustrated and documentary in character, the present work forms an extensive visual record of the citys historic architecture, fortifications, streets and landscapes during a period of profound transformation.
The first work, Monuments de Maestricht (1857), contains 30 coloured lithographic plates. The series presents romanticised yet topographically accurate views of Maastrichts principal monuments, churches, gates, bridges and public squares, including the Vrijthof, the Maas bridge and St Servatius Church. Executed in delicate chromolithography, the plates rank among the earliest and most ambitious colour lithographic productions relating to Limburg.
Bound after this is Ancienne enceinte militaire de Maestricht démolie en 1867-1869 (1872), comprising 12 coloured lithographic views and an additional title-page. The series documents the dismantled medieval and early modern fortifications of Maastricht, preserving views of gates, walls and military structures shortly before or after their demolition. These plates are of particular historical importance as visual testimony to a vanished urban landscape.
The final section consists of the two series of Oud Maestricht en buurt, illustrated with 52 etched plates and accompanied by two index leaves. These etchings depict old Maastricht and neighbouring locations with a more intimate character, focusing on picturesque streets, architectural fragments, rural scenery and historic buildings in and around the city.
The edges of the boards are scuffed, the spine is slightly rubbed, with remnants of a paper shelf mark label. Occasional foxing to the lithographed plates, minor browning throughout. Otherwise in very good condition. Ad 3: WorldCat 1415405425, 67734804 (1 copy); cf. Scheen II, pp. 291-292; Thieme-Becker 29, p. 556.