Carte topographique des franches forêts de Merdael Mollendael et Heverlez appartenantes à son altesse Monseigr. le duc d'Arenberg duc d'Arschot et de Croy.

4 copper engrs pasted together, 69,3 x 102,7 cm + margins, folded (reinforced foldings, tear and a few holes on foldings, minor yellowing).

Marbled paper on cardboard cover with calf spine.

Rare map (only copy known in red?) of the castle gardens and woods in Meerdaal and Heverlee, south of the town of Leuven, belonging to Louis Engelbert of Arenberg (1750-1820), nicknamed the blind duke. Between 1727 and 1770, the "Heverleebos" and "Meerdaalwoud" were planted in a chess board pattern with green "salons" ("Salon d'Hercules" and "Salon des Dieux"), "L'Étoile", a "Rendez-vous des Philosophes", e.g. The surveyor J.B. Joris mapped the situation after its construction, he included the "Herculesdreef" (built in 1759), but not the eastern connection between both woods, the "Prosperdreef" (1785). The engraver, Antoine Cardon, is also known for his contribution to the Ferraris map. Copies can be found in the National Library in Prague and the Belgian State Archives. Ref. Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed 2017: Heverleebos en Meerdaalwoud. - R. Van Uytven and P. De Smet. - Kaart van Meerdaal en Heverlee, Jaarbulletin 1975, Vrienden van Heverleebos en Meerdaalwoud, pp. 25 - 40.