A. Persia, by John Speed and Petrus Kaerius, from A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World, circa 1646 (4.7 x 3.3"). This handsome miniature map is from the "miniature Speed" atlas, with maps engraved by Pieter van den Keere and based on John Speed's folio-sized maps published under the same title, A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World. It is filled with place names and features some nice topographical detail for a map of its size. As in Speed's larger map of the region, the Caspian Sea (also referred to here as the Sea of Bachu and Hircanian Sea) is depicted in a horizontal oval shape. English text on verso. Reference: King (2nd Ed.) pp. 116-117. Condition: A crisp impression with a couple tiny spots.

B. Perse, by Nicolas de Fer, from Methode pour Apprendre Facilement la Geographie, circa 1746 (6.3 x 5.3"). Finely engraved small map of the Persian Empire filled with place names and decorated with a simple cartouche and armorial shield. Engraved by Lhuilier. This is a later impression from a revised copperplate with faint evidence of the original engraving. Condition: Issued folding with light scattered foxing that is mostly confined to the margins. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.

C. Persia, by John Gibson and Emmanuel Bowen, from Atlas Minimus, published1758 (2.4 x 3.6"). This impressive small map of the Persian Empire appeared in Atlas Minimus,, a pocket atlas containing 52 maps, drawn and engraved by John Gibson, with revisions by Emmanuel Bowen, and published by John Newbery. The atlas was considered one of the most attractive miniature atlases of the 18th century. The map includes a key at top that identifies 7 smaller provinces, a brief note on the region at bottom, and a decorative title cartouche at top left. According to the descriptive text, "The Persian Empire is 1300 Miles in Length, 1060 in Breadth, and contains 800 000 square Miles." Reference: King (2nd Ed.) p. 172. Condition: Just a hint of soiling.

References:

Condition: A

See description above.