Catalog Archive
Auction 160, Lot 676

"The Kingdome of Persia with the Cheef Citties and Habites Described", Speed, John

Subject: Persia - Iran

Period: 1676 (circa)

Publication: A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World

Color: Hand Color

Size:
20.3 x 15.5 inches
51.6 x 39.4 cm
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A stunning carte-a-figures map of the Persian empire. The vignettes of Isfahan, Hormuz, Tabris, and Tehran flank the title cartouche. The side panels illustrate the social hierarchy of Persian society with superb illustrations of a nobleman, a citizen, a countryman, and a Turk with their respective female partners. The map is filled with scores of place names, details of the Persian Gulf, and charming pictorial detail of topography and cities. The Caspian Sea is given a horizontal oval shape with a note that "it is said to aboud with great plentye of fishes." The English text on the verso has a description of the region, people and history as seen through eyes of a Jacobian English historian. Engraved by Abraham Goos. The imprint of Bassett and Chiswell appears above the distance scale.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-2f.

Condition: B+

A dark impression on watermarked paper with light offsetting, some toning along the centerfold, and one short tear in the top blank margin. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,300

Sold for: $750

Closed on 11/16/2016

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