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. Spanish text on verso, published between 1659-72.

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

Condition: A

A nice impression with contemporary outline color in the map and later color in the decorative elements, on a wide-margined sheet with a large watermark of the god Atlas. There is a bit of show-through of text on verso, marginal soiling, and archival paper repairs confined to the blank margins.