"Tartaria", Hondius, Jodocus

This splendid map covers all of northern Asia from Moscow to the Anian Fretum and Americae Pars. Korea is shown as an island. Illustrations include the Great Wall in China, rivers, villages, mountains etc. The newly discovered northern coastline of Nova Zembla is shown with a notation concerning the Dutch expedition led by Willem Barents in 1594-96. An interesting notation in Siberia, Ung quae Gog and Sumongul quae Mogog, refers to the mythological lands of Gog and Magog. These lands, noted in the Bible as being situated in the remotest parts of the earth, were originally depicted on maps just north of Israel and gradually moved across Asia as more discoveries were made. The map is beautifully decorated with costumed people, a camp scene and three large strapwork cartouches. It is a fabulous example of Hondius' bold engraving style. French text on verso.

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Condition: B+

Lovely original color with wide margins, a hint of toning along centerfold, and a minor abrasion just west of Korea that has been professionally reinforced on verso. A chip in bottom left blank margin has also been professionally repaired.