This is a rare and important early English map of China, published in the third volume of Purchas His Pilgrimes. It was purportedly based on a six-sheet woodblock Chinese map (published 1605) that Richard Hakluyt obtained from a Chinese merchant. There is now only one recorded example of the map, held in Krakow. Purchas's map is an interesting combination of Eastern and Western cartography with squares and circles depicting cities and settlements in a unique Asian style. Eight cities are identified, including two capitals, Pequin (Beijing) and NanquinAmacao (Macao). The province boundaries are shown, for perhaps the first time on a Western map. In the text of Purchas His Pilgrimes, Purchas states that he does not know whether the thick dark stripe in the northwest corner represents deserts or mountains. Chinese characters are included in the title and it is decorated with portraits of the famous Jesuit father, Matteo Ricci and two costumed figures of a Chinese man and woman. This map was the model for the De Bry and Semedo maps.

References: Caboara #18.

Condition: A

Couple of professional repairs on centerfold.