Cluver’s Introductio is considered the standard for 17th century geographical text books, as he is the father of modern historical geography. This edition of Cluver's geography was published in Amsterdam by Daniel Elzevir. The atlas is complete with thirty-eight maps, most of which measure about 4.7 x 4.7". About half the maps are classical ones derived from Ortelius' Paregon. The world map, Orbis Terrarum Typus, shows both California and Korea as islands. The map of the Americas, Americae sive Indiae Occidentalis Tabula Generalis, is a reduced version of the important 1630 map by De Laet and shows California as a peninsula. The map of Asia includes Korea in peninsular form and the mythical Lacus Chiamay (here unnamed) with four rivers flowing south. The striking map of Africa draws its cartography on the Cluver-Buno map of 1641. The source of the Nile is located south of the equator in the twin lakes of Zaire and Zafla, with the Montes Lunae (Mountains of the Moon) to the south.

The Introductionis was published numerous times between 1624 and 1729 with each successive edition becoming more elaborate and the later editions including finely engraved maps. 24mo, engraved title page, 388 pp. of Latin text, 1 folding engraving of wind roses, 1 folding table, 38 double-page folding maps, table of Roman Emperors, and extensive index. Bound in an old, full vellum binding with manuscript title on spine.

References: Betz #93; Burden #335; King (1st ed.) p. 186; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.CLUV-4a; Shirley (World) #407.

Condition: A

The maps and text are clean and bright and the binding is tight. The world map has some light soiling at top left. The covers are lightly soiled with bumped fore-edges. An excellent example.