A. A New Map of Ancient Asia Dedicated to His Highness William Duke of Gloucester , by Edward Wells, from A New Set of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography, circa 1700, black & white (20.0 x 14.5"). This handsome chart covers continental Asia and much of eastern Africa. Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia appear with notations that they were unknown to Ptolemy. Wells used a unique device for depicting those regions known to the ancients as opposed to those known in modern times; note the different hachures outlining the landmasses. The long held mythical Lake Chiamay is a major geographical feature of central China, and the source of the Nile in Africa is shown according to Ptolemy. The map is filled with notes of historical interest. For example, it is noted that Sumatra is "Taprobana according to some," while Sri Lanka is identified as "Toprobana according to most." Three cartouches decorate the map including one that dedicates the map to William, Duke of Gloucester, who was Wells' pupil at Oxford. Engraved by Michael Burghers. Condition: A nice impression with wide margins, light overall toning, a stain at bottom right, and a few small edge tears confined to the blank margins and closed on verso with archival tape. (B)

B. Grande Tartarie et Isles du Japon, suivant les Relations les Plus Autentiques, by Brion de la Tour/Desnos, dated 1766, hand color (10.2 x 9.1"). Attractive map of northern Asia and Japan decorated with a nice title cartouche. This map typically includes panels of French text flanking the map, but on this example the text has been trimmed. Condition: Margins trimmed but still ample for framing. (B+)

References: Yeo #87.

Condition:

See descriptions above.