"Moscovia", Hondius/Purchas

Handsome map of western Russia with Moscow (Moscowia) depicted at bottom right and Novgorod (Nouogardia) at top left. Fully engraved to show forests, rivers, lakes and cities and adorned with decorative title and scale cartouches. On a sheet of English text measuring 8.4 x 13.3".

At the beginning of the 17th century, Samuel Purchas, an English cleric, set out to publish a compendium of voyages to foreign countries. To illustrate his work, Purchase obtained the rights to use Jodocus Hondius' copperplates from Atlas Minor. Over 60 maps were included in Purchas His Pilgrimes, most of which were from Hondius' plates, with English titles inserted above them. Purchas also had a few additional maps engraved, including those for India, China, Greenland, North America, and Nova Scotia.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.PUR-1a #52.

Condition: A

On a watermarked sheet with a few minor spots and light dampstains confined to the blank margins.