Joan Blaeu (1598-1673) is one of the most famous of the Dutch cartographers. The fourth volume of his ‘Novus Atlas’ focused on England and Wales. Blaeu established his firm in 1599 as instrument and globe makers. He went on to produce some of the highest quality atlases ever published. This very decorative map of Brecon is from the French text edition of 1645, it was re-issued in 1646 and 1648 with the same text setting. Booth (1977) pp. 44-8; Koeman 42A 338; Skelton 28; Van der Krogt, P. (Atlantes) 5525:2.