This beautiful carte-a-figures map is the first English printed map of Asia. It is flanked by costumed figures of Asian peoples with a series of eight city views forming a decorative frieze across the top including Damascus, Jerusalem, Aden, Hormus, Goa, Kandy, Banten and Macau. The map is based largely on Jodocus Hondius' map of 1623 with detailed depictions of the East Indies, the Philippines and the elongated peninsula form of Korea. Large lakes and rivers dominate the interior of China and the mythical Lake of Ciamay spawns five large rivers in India Without Ganges. The Great Wall of China is placed too far north. The Caspian Sea is greatly enlarged and oriented in an east-west direction. The map is further embellished with a title cartouche, numerous sea creatures and sailing ships and an elephant appears in the interior of China. Beautifully engraved by Abraham Goos with the imprint of Bassett and Chiswell, published in 1676. The English text on verso provides a fascinating Anglo-centric view of Asia.

References: Yeo #30; Shirley (BL Atlases) #T.SPE-2f.

Condition: B+

Lovely color with gilt highlights. There are a few printer's creases at top and two minor abrasions near center, with minute loss of image. There are some expert paper repairs in blank margins to repair a few short tears and some small areas of paper loss.