Subject: Asia
Period: 1744 (dated)
Publication:
Color: Hand Color
Size:
21.2 x 18.4 inches
53.8 x 46.7 cm
The extent of European knowledge in Asia is vividly depicted on this 18th century map of the continent and the East Indies. The work of the Jesuit missionaries is reflected in the well-documented region of China. Kamchatka has been reduced to its proper size from Johan Christoph Homann's earlier map, while Siberia is clearly based on Russian surveys that were published in the early 1730's. Japan is still shown with Hokkaido (Terra Eso Yedso Oku Yeso) attached to the mainland. In this variant, the title cartouche and vignette at bottom left have been replaced with a dedicatory cartouche and a vignette that includes a king, numerous offerings, a lion, an elephant, and an incongruous American native. There is also an elaborate distance scale cartouche at top right. The title runs across the top neatline in both Latin and French.
References: Yeo #132.
Condition: B+
There are professional repairs to several small fold separations, an edge tear at bottom that extends 3" into the image, and to several edge chips confined to the blank margins. Light soiling.