1613 / 1635 Tabula Russiae ex autographo, quod delineandum curavit Foedor filius Tzaris Borois desumta …. MDCXIIII
By: Hessel Gerrits / Willem Janszoon Blaeu
Date: 1613 / 1635 (circa) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 16.75 x 21.5 inches (42.5 x 54.6 cm)
This is an authentic antique map of Russia with an insert plan of Moscow and a view of Archangelsckagoroda. The map was originally engraved by Hessel Gerrits in 1613 and later reissued by Willem Blaeu beginning in 1634.
Hessel Gerrits created this influential map of Russia from a compilation of manuscripts brought back from Russia by Isaac Massa, who lived in Russia from 1601 - 1609. During that time, a promising young Czar of Russia named Fedor Godunov II was murdered when he was 16 years old. That period of Russian history was known as the time of troubles. The plan of Moscow was based on Czar Fedor’s draft. It would become the most reproduced map of Moscow for about 100 years, used by Braun & Hogenberg, Matthaus Merian, and Gabriel Bodenehr, just to name a few. Finally, the view of Archangelsckagoroda (Archangel) is important as it was Russia’s only northern port until the founding of St Petersburg in 1703.
The map depicts hundreds of villages and cities, forests, and river systems. Near the center of the map, a “great wall,” known as the Zasechnaya bar is depicted running from the Volga River to just east of Lithuania. The Zasechnaya bar was system of fortifications, used by Russia to protect against the invasion of Mongol-Tatar and Crimean troops, as well as a foothold in the attack on opponent. The Caspian Sea is quite misshapen as very little was known of the region, particularly the eastern side. The map is adorned with sailing ships, two compass roses, three figures in Russian attire, and a decorative title cartouche.
Condition: Map is in B condition, with a diagonal tear in the lower right that extends 2 inches into the image and has been professionally repaired on the verso. Map displays lovely hand coloring and full margins.
Inventory #18954
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