"Moscoviae Pars Australis. Auctore Isaaco Massa", Jansson, Jan

This is a very decorative map of the region north of the Sea of Azov including Moscow. The map is based on the travels of Isaac Massa, the Dutch traveler & merchant, who first visited Russia during the Time of the Troubles. When he returned to Holland in 1609, he brought a rich collection of historical, geographical, ethnographic, and cartographic material that formed the basis of this and several other important maps of the region from this period. The land is fully engraved with forests and wild animals, and tiny ships sail in the sea. There is a title cartouche surrounded by figures in local dress. This is the first state with a dedication cartouche for Massa at top left and the square pedestal distance scale cartouche at bottom right. German text on verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #1802:1.1.

Condition: B

On a toned sheet with four small stains in the image and several more in the blank margins. There is a short centerfold separation at top and and an edge tear that enters 1" into the image at bottom that has been repaired on verso with archival material. The entire bottom margin is reinforced with old paper on verso.