Details
BLAEU, JAN. Theatrum orbis terrarum, sive Novus Atlas. Pars Sexta. Novus Atlas Sinensis, a Martino Martinio descriptus. Amsterdam, [1655]. Folio, 547 x 357mm. (21 1/2 x 14 1/16in.), original gilt vellum, volume number and shelf mark hand-lettered on smooth spine in brown and black ink, traces of ties, g.e., lower corners of both covers abraded, front flyleaves detached, on guards throughout, repaired tear to outer corner of the last leaf, a few short fold breaks and other insignificant marginal defects, mapsheet 7 (Suchuen) with vertical crease causing printing defect, minor creasing to 4 or 5 other maps, the usual discoloration to the maps, some slight offsetting, light foxing or pale marginal dampstaining to a few text leaves. Latin text, pictorial engraved title, 17 double-page engraved maps, THE TITLE (HEIGHTENED WITH GOLD) AND THE MAPS ALL FINELY COLORED IN A CONTEMPORARY HAND, the title and embellishments fully colored, the maps colored in outline.
THE FIRST EUROPEAN ATLAS OF CHINA, after the surveys of the Jesuit Martino Martini, the text being based on his Sinicae historiae: "...it was far in advance of any previous European work. For the period it was remarkably accurate, being the first to show a more correct eastern coast-line with the Shantung promontory" (Tooley, Maps and Map-Makers, p. 106). It remained the standard source until the publication of J.B. du Halde's Description...de l'Empire de la Chine in 1735, based on surveys carried out by another Jesuit priest, Father Regis, in 1708-18. Koeman, I, Bl 53.
THE FIRST EUROPEAN ATLAS OF CHINA, after the surveys of the Jesuit Martino Martini, the text being based on his Sinicae historiae: "...it was far in advance of any previous European work. For the period it was remarkably accurate, being the first to show a more correct eastern coast-line with the Shantung promontory" (Tooley, Maps and Map-Makers, p. 106). It remained the standard source until the publication of J.B. du Halde's Description...de l'Empire de la Chine in 1735, based on surveys carried out by another Jesuit priest, Father Regis, in 1708-18. Koeman, I, Bl 53.