"L'Asie Divisee en ses Principales Regions, et ou se Peuvent voir l'Estendue des Empires Monarchies, Royaumes, et Estats...", Brion de la Tour/Desnos

This attractive map of Asia is Brion de la Tour and Desnos' uncommon update of the influential Jaillot-Sanson map of the continent from 1692. The design of the decorative cartouches is the same, and Jaillot is credited in the title, but the geography has been updated, especially around Siberia and Japan. Ieso (Hokkaido) is no longer attached to the mainland. An incomplete coastline labeled Terre de la Compagnie appears to the northwest of Japan. Korea is depicted in peninsular form. The mythical Lac de Chiamay is shown as the source of five major rivers west of China. In the East Indies, New Guinea is divided into Terre de Papous and Nouvelle Guinee. There is portion of Carpentaria at bottom right. The coast of Amerique is visible across the narrow Det. du Nord. Originally issued in 1783, but the date in the imprint of this example has been partially wiped from the plate.

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Condition: A

A fine impression with some minor foxing at lower right.