BRIET (Philippe) : Parallela geographiae veteris et novae. Auctore Philippo Brietio, Abbavillaeo, Societatis Iesu sacerdote [ tome I] Paris , Cramoisy,1648. One volume. 18 by 25 cm. frontispiece-(26)-512-(1) pages + 61 maps (52 full-page in text and 9 hors texte). Contemporary full basane. Binding worn (spine missing, various defects - see photos). Fine copy. The maps are in perfect condition. First volume only of 3 issued First edition. Rare Pastoureau , Les atlas français pp.89-91; Sommervogel II col. 156-157; Sabin 7934; Shirley 372; Phillips Maps of América , p. 1088; Mc Laughin The Mapping of California as an Island 10 One of the most influential French geographies of the 17th century. It includes the following maps: Sphere (climate zone); compass rose; 4 maps of the ancient world (2 in conic projection); Roman Empire; Michel van Lochom's MAPPEMONDE, (Shirley 372) with California shown as one and the southern continent called Pays septentrionaux peu connus; 2 maps of the Mediterranean; eastern hemisphere (Atlantic and Pacific oceans and southern land); map of the Americas: La Division De L'Ocean Du Nouveau Monde, one of the first maps showing California as an island (Mc Laughin 10); 2 maps of Europe; 8 maps of Great Britain (2 general, 2 of Ireland; Loegrie; Wales; Scotland, Schetland Islands); 10 of Spain; 15 of France (including the kingdom of Arles.)