"Asia Antiqua et Nova", Cluver, Philipp

Attractive copper engraved map of the continent that extends to include North America at extreme upper right, labeled Americae Pars. The outline of Asia follows the Mercator-Hondius model with the Arctic and extreme northeast coastlines truncated, an elongated Korean Peninsula, and a narrow Indian Peninsula. There are numerous place names except in China, which is strikingly void of any names and instead filled with a bold network of rivers and large lakes. The mythical Lake Chiamay appears unnamed in western China with five rivers flowing south. The title cartouche includes the female representation of Asia with a large cat and a parrot.

Cluver's Introductio in Universam Geographicam was a popular atlas, appearing in over 45 editions during a 100-year period. The first edition was published without maps in the 1620s, and the first edition to include maps was published circa 1641. The various editions were published in different cities throughout Europe, including Amsterdam, Nuremberg, and London. This map is from an Amsterdam edition, edited by Bruzen de la Martiniere with maps by Jan Wolters and four newly engraved maps after Delisle.

References: Yeo #26; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.CLUV-8b.

Condition: A

A dark impression with light toning in the narrow top margin and an archivally repaired chip in the left blank margin.