Russia, China, Mongolia, Siberia... W. Blaeu, 1635, Tartaria sive Magni Chami Imperium

The famous Blaeu map of the Asian part of Russia, Kazachstan, Mongolia an part of China, showing the area between the Black Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It extends north to Nova Zembla and south to the Upper Ganges River.

When Blaeu drew this map this part of the world was almost entirely unknown. Blaeu relied on the journals of Marco Polo to compile most of the map. Devils and dragons frolic in the Lop Nor and far to the north the summer seat of Kublai Khan's Yuan Empire Xanadu (Shangdu) is noted. The Great Wall of China appears prominently. Further west, the Geography becomes more stable with recognizable Silk Route centers such as Samarkand clearly identified. The title is set into a saddle blanket on the back of a dromedary. Mountains and forests are rendered pictorially.

This map is distinguished from Jansson's very similar map by Blaeu's inclusion of degrees of longitude along the borders and meridians crossing the map.

This edition was published in the first French edition of "Atlas Novus," the atlas by William Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1635.

Ref: Van der Krogt 2 - 8050:2

Very good condition. Some minimal very light age browning. Thick paper, clear print and wide margins. Reverse side text in French

Image 38x49,5cm, sheet 50x58cm