Subject: Northern Asia
Period: 1676 (circa)
Publication: A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World…
Color: Hand Color
Size:
20.1 x 15.5 inches
51.1 x 39.4 cm
This splendid carte-a-figures map covers the region from Lake Baikal through the regions of present-day Manchuria and Siberia to the north of the Great Wall of China. Korea is shown as an island on the extreme right with parts of North America across the fabled Strait of Anian. The map is fully engraved with mountains and forests, numerous towns and fascinating notations. Included in the four views at top is a view of Nova Zembla, the winter quarters of Barents who searched for a northern passage between Russia and America. The other views depict important cities of the Silk Route - Astrakan, Samarkand and Cambalu. In the side panels are figures of the people of Tartary in their native costume. The English text on verso provides a fascinating contemporary description of the region. Imprint of Bassett and Chiswell in title cartouche with a blank dedication cartouche. Engraved by Dirck Gryp.
References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.SPE-2f.
Condition: B+
A nice impression with a small abrasion and centerfold separation at bottom that has been archivally repaired on verso with minor image replacement in facsimile. An edge tear at upper right that extends 3.5" into the image has also been closed on verso with archival materials. There are remnants of old tape along the sheet edges on verso with a bit of staining visible on recto.