Maire, "Hellespont ou Detroit des Dardanelles 1788 / Plan de Constantinople et du Bosphore 1788", Wien. Two copper engraved, separately printed, maps of the Straits (Dardanelles and Bosporus) including the map of Constantinople and an inset map of Seraglio. Jointed to form an impressive 131x31cm map. Folded in contemporary linen. Splendid contemporary colouring and stamp of the Biblioteca Dollero, important Italian private collection of early 20th century (most of it lay actually in the Marciana Library of Venice). Maire, a French military cartographer of the famous Ponts et Chaussees, has entered in Austrian service and produced several military maps for the Austrian General Staff. These two maps have been issued during the initial phase of the war of 1788-91. The purpose, as mentioned in both of the maps, is the definition of the new borders of Russia and Austria, on the Ottoman lands. They provide exceptional details for the area and are clearly based on special military sources. Extremely Rare, separately issued maps, significant provenance. Zacharakis 2123 & 2124.