Blaeu's Decorative Map of Russia

"Tabula Russiae ex Autographo, quod Delineandum Curavit Foedor Filius Tzaris Boris Desumta ... M.DC.XIIII", Blaeu, Willem

This is Blaeu's version of Hessel Gerritsz' rare and significant map of Russia, which he compiled from manuscripts brought back by Isaac Massa. The map covers the European part of the Russian Empire extending from Poland to the steppes of Tartary, and from the Mourmanskoy More (Barents Sea) to the Black and Caspian Seas. The large inset plan of Moscow is attributed to the Crown Prince Fydor Gudonov. The map is richly decorated with a large title cartouche, sailing ships, a compass rose, three Russian gentlemen, and an inset view of Archangel Sckagoroda. French text on verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #1800:2.2.

Condition: A

A nice impression on a bright, sturdy sheet with an archivally repaired centerfold separation at top and a very short centerfold separation in the bottom blank margin. The bottom right corner of the sheet is chipped, well away from the image.