![DE L'ISLE, Joseph-Nicolas (1688-1768) and others compilers]. Atlas Russicus: contenant une carte générale et dixneuf cartes particulières de tout l'empire de Russie et des Pays Limitrophes. [Atlas Rossiiskoi.] St. Petersburg: Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1745.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/CKS/2011_CKS_08021_0072_001(de_lisle_joseph-nicolas_and_others_compilers_atlas_russicus_contenant062517).jpg?w=1)
![DE L'ISLE, Joseph-Nicolas (1688-1768) and others compilers]. Atlas Russicus: contenant une carte générale et dixneuf cartes particulières de tout l'empire de Russie et des Pays Limitrophes. [Atlas Rossiiskoi.] St. Petersburg: Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1745.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/CKS/2011_CKS_08021_0072_000(de_lisle_joseph-nicolas_and_others_compilers_atlas_russicus_contenant063140).jpg?w=1)
Details
DE L'ISLE, Joseph-Nicolas (1688-1768) and others compilers]. Atlas Russicus: contenant une carte générale et dixneuf cartes particulières de tout l'empire de Russie et des Pays Limitrophes. [Atlas Rossiiskoi.] St. Petersburg: Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1745.
2° (565 x 345mm). Title and text in parallel Latin and French. Engraved key, general map on two sheets as issued and 19 double-page regional maps. The gathering of text stitched and with a marbled paper spine, with the uncut and unbound sheets of maps together in an 18th-century goatskin portfolio, sides tooled in blind with a large diamond pattern highlighted with small 'S' and flower tools, upper side with paper labels, perhaps later, in German manuscript (some wear, one tie lacking, another with loss).
A FINE COPY OF THE FIRST ATLAS DEVOTED SOLELY TO RUSSIA; the maps uncut, and unbound, in bright state and with wide margins. 'This atlas marks the summit of Russian cartography at the end of the first half of the 18th century' (Svodnyi Katalog). 'As the most complete representation of Russia to date, the atlas gave the European public a knowledge of the vastness and complexity of the Russian Empire' (Whittaker). In 1729, four years after accepting Peter the Great's invitation to come to St. Petersburg, De L'Isle suggested an atlas of the entire Russian empire (to a single scale) on 16 sheets. In 1735 the Academy gave its backing, and measurements from a number of expeditions were co-ordinated to produce the present work. The text was issued in various languages: Russian, German, Latin and French. Bagrow-Castner II, pp.177-253 (collation pp.243-244); Phillips, Atlases 4060; Whittaker, Russia Engages the World, pp.96-7; cf. Svodnyi Katalog 344 (for the Russian-language issue).
2° (565 x 345mm). Title and text in parallel Latin and French. Engraved key, general map on two sheets as issued and 19 double-page regional maps. The gathering of text stitched and with a marbled paper spine, with the uncut and unbound sheets of maps together in an 18th-century goatskin portfolio, sides tooled in blind with a large diamond pattern highlighted with small 'S' and flower tools, upper side with paper labels, perhaps later, in German manuscript (some wear, one tie lacking, another with loss).
A FINE COPY OF THE FIRST ATLAS DEVOTED SOLELY TO RUSSIA; the maps uncut, and unbound, in bright state and with wide margins. 'This atlas marks the summit of Russian cartography at the end of the first half of the 18th century' (Svodnyi Katalog). 'As the most complete representation of Russia to date, the atlas gave the European public a knowledge of the vastness and complexity of the Russian Empire' (Whittaker). In 1729, four years after accepting Peter the Great's invitation to come to St. Petersburg, De L'Isle suggested an atlas of the entire Russian empire (to a single scale) on 16 sheets. In 1735 the Academy gave its backing, and measurements from a number of expeditions were co-ordinated to produce the present work. The text was issued in various languages: Russian, German, Latin and French. Bagrow-Castner II, pp.177-253 (collation pp.243-244); Phillips, Atlases 4060; Whittaker, Russia Engages the World, pp.96-7; cf. Svodnyi Katalog 344 (for the Russian-language issue).
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