Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts

Description

This is a framed, hand-coloured, copperplate map of Tartaria engraved by Jodocus Hondius published in Amsterdam circa 1626. It is a small format map decorated with strapwork cartouches for the title and scale.

The map covers European Russia including Moscow, the Black Sea and Crimea in the West to China and Korea in the East. Korea is shown as an island. Modern day Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan all lie within this land of Tartaria. Even part of Alaska is shown in the top right hand corner of the map. The Great Wall of China is marked.

The 'Mare de Sala' in this version by Hondius now includes the words 'Caspium et Hircanum' confirming that this is indeed the Caspian Sea (see the other example we have for sale). 500 years ago the Caspian Sea was much larger than it is today and incorporated the Aral Sea and land further to the east as far as Tashkent.

Text to verso but we have not removed the map to inspect the language.

Dimensions:
Frame 33.5 x 29 cm
Map 18.5 x 14 cm
Weight 813g

Condition: A good strong impression without tears or repairs. We have left it in its gilt frame and wooden backboard, which are in good condition, so that it is ready to hang.

Postage & Packing: £7 within the UK. Please contact David for a postal quote if you live overseas.