1655 · Amsterdam
by BLAEU, Johannes; MARTINI, Martino
Amsterdam: Johannes Blaeu, 1655. Map. Hand colored engraving. 19 1/2" x 23 1/2".
This impressive 17th century map of eastern Asia appeared in Martino Martini "Nova Atlas Sinus", the first European atlas devoted to China. Extends from Bengal eastward, showing regional boundaries in China and including the islands of Ieso, Japan, Formosa, and Hainan. Mountains are depicted pictorially. Martini spent several years in China, and his work was based on Chinese sources, lending to the remarkable accuracy of this map for its time. The map is in very good condition, with some scattered foxing.
One of the most prolific Dutch mapmakers of his time, Willem Blaeu (1571-1638) started one of the most famous map publishing firms of the 17th century. It was at this time that the Dutch controlled the map trade, and their ornate and beautiful maps had immense popularity. Blaeu and his family worked out of Amsterdam and was instrumental in driving this dominance in his lifetime, and this legacy was continued by his sons. (Inventory #: 328990)
This impressive 17th century map of eastern Asia appeared in Martino Martini "Nova Atlas Sinus", the first European atlas devoted to China. Extends from Bengal eastward, showing regional boundaries in China and including the islands of Ieso, Japan, Formosa, and Hainan. Mountains are depicted pictorially. Martini spent several years in China, and his work was based on Chinese sources, lending to the remarkable accuracy of this map for its time. The map is in very good condition, with some scattered foxing.
One of the most prolific Dutch mapmakers of his time, Willem Blaeu (1571-1638) started one of the most famous map publishing firms of the 17th century. It was at this time that the Dutch controlled the map trade, and their ornate and beautiful maps had immense popularity. Blaeu and his family worked out of Amsterdam and was instrumental in driving this dominance in his lifetime, and this legacy was continued by his sons. (Inventory #: 328990)
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