Catalog Archive
Auction 135, Lot 651

"Le Japon Divise en Soissante et Six Provinces, Cette Carte est Tiree des Cartes des Japonois par Mounsieur Reland", Reland, Adrien

Subject: Japan

Period: 1732 (dated)

Publication: Bernard's Recueil de Voyages au Nord…

Color: Black & White

Size:
4 x 6.8 inches
10.2 x 17.3 cm
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This early map of Japan shows the 66 provinces with both Roman and Sino-Japanese names. It is the first Western produced map using Japanese cartography and ignoring the prior European use of fictitious names. The inset map of Nagasaki "Vue de la Ville de Nangasacki…" is at lower center and is surrounded by 21 Armories of the Emperor and his shoguns. This is the third edition with "Tome 4. P. 32." at upper right. The map is bound into the original and complete "Recueil de Voyages au Nord, Contenant divers Memoires tres utiles au Commerce & a la Navigation. Tome Quatrieme (Nouvelle Edition)," by Jean Frederic Bernard, (4" x 6.8"). It is dated 1732, however this map was issued as early as 1715 in his various editions. In original full leather with raised and gilt spine, red fore-edges, marbled end papers, engraved frontis "Voiages au Nord", title page in red & black with engraved "A Limmorta-Lite", 568 pp, map, and the important plate "Plante de Gin-seng." This is the most desirable volume of Bernard's work and contains chapters on Japan, Korea, China, and describes several voyages of exploration in these regions. This volume has on the first marbled end paper the gilt bookplate for C.R. Boxer, a distinguished historian of Portuguese and Dutch colonial and maritime history. Read more about Mr. Boxer here.

References: Walter OAG #68

Condition: A+

The map is a crisp and beautiful example with no flaws (A+). Contents are also fine. The original binding is also near fine with just a trace of shelf wear. Title page has a small Japanese wood block stamp at upper right not affecting any text.

Estimate: $1,500 - $1,800

Sold for: $1,600

Closed on 2/16/2011

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