"[Lot of 2] Russiae, Vulgo Moscovia Dictae Partes Septentrionalis et Orientalis. Auctore Isaaco Massa [and] Russiae, Vulgo Moscovia Dictae, Par Occidentalis. Auctore Isaaco Massa", Blaeu, (Family)

This lot includes a pair of maps of Russia, each of which includes a strapwork title cartouche that credits the map to Isaac Massa, who visited Moscow in the early 1600s, during the turmoil in Russia following the death of Tsar Boris Godunov and the assassination of the False Dimitry, who only reigned as Tsar for ten months before he was killed in 1606. Dutch text on verso.

A. Russiae, Vulgo Moscovia Dictae Partes Septentrionalis et Orientalis. Auctore Isaaco Massa, (21.3 x 16.3"). This map is based on the travels of Isaac Massa, who visited Moscow in the early 1600s. It details the area from Finland to Siberia and beyond the Jenisej River and south to the Volga River, with Kazan and Novogorod shown. A partial coastline of Novaya Zemla is shown at the top of the map. The map is fully engraved with mountains and forests with deer, bear and other animals throughout. The title cartouche is flanked with pelts, and hunters and a wide variety of animals surround the scale of miles. The crest of the Russian Empire is shown at top. The map is nearly identical to Jansson's map of the same title. Johannes and Cornelius Blaeu's imprint appears above the distance scale. Condition: A crisp impression on watermarked paper with an edge tear in the top blank margin that has been archivally repaired on verso.

B. Russiae, Vulgo Moscovia Dictae, Par Occidentalis. Auctore Isaaco Massa, (19.4 x 15.1"). A finely engraved depiction of the area from Estonia to Moscow. The map is very decorative, with pictorial topography, wildlife, and a scene of men hunting bears in the upper part of the map. The decorative title cartouche at top left is flanked with reindeer, and a second cartouche encloses two distance scales at bottom left. The crest of the Russian Empire appears at top right. Condition: A fine impression on watermarked paper with a few light spots.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #1801:2 & #1803:2.

Condition: A

See description above.