Rare Early State of Magnificent Carte-a-Figures Map of Asia

"Asia Noviter Delineata", Blaeu, Willem

This is one of the most famous 17th century maps of the continent of Asia. It is surrounded in a beautiful carte-a-figures border and is richly ornamented with animals, sea monsters and sailing ships. The eastern coastline of Asia is severely truncated, Korea is shown as an island, and Japan is depicted on the Ortelius-Teixeira model. The Indian subcontinent is too narrow and the islands of Indonesia are very sketchy. A large island labeled Ceiram probably represents the western part of New Guinea. In the interior, the Caspian Sea is oriented on an east-west axis and there are several large erroneous lakes in China including the mythical Chiamay Lacus. The frieze across the top features vignettes of the cities of Candy, Calecut, Goa, Damascus, Jerusalem, Hormuz, Banten, Aden and Macao. The inclusion of Banten reflects the emergence of the Dutch as a major commercial power in the East Indies. The side panels flanking the map depict costumed figures of the various Asian peoples. This is a rare early state of the plate with the imprint Auctore Guil: Janssonio in the cartouche and a blank verso, published between 1618-20.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #8000:2; Walter #25; Yeo #24.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression on a bright sheet with very light soiling. There are professional repairs to short centerfold separations at top and bottom and a small worm track in the bottom blank margin. The right margin has been professionally extended to accommodate framing, and there are several faint stains along the edges of the sheet.