1664 L’asie Par P. Duval Geographe ord du Roy.
By: Pierre Duval
Date: 1664 (dated) Paris
Dimensions: 16 x 20.5 inches (40.5 x 52 cm)
This fascinating map of Asia covers a wide expanse starting in western Russia and stretching eastward to the island of Hokaido, here labeled as Iesso. Eastern Europe, Anatolia, the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and part of Egypt are also depicted.
The map is highly detailed with mountain ranges and river systems, settlements, fortifications, towns, and cities and ports are denoted. Churches and temples are marked as such. The Great Wall of China is depicted, and the Japanese island of Hokaido is shown as being continent-sized. The details of the map represent an enormous amount of research and information gathering. Despite many sites being incorrectly designated, most place names represent topographical reality, sites which exist now or which were at one time extant. Japan and the Korean peninsula are depicted more accurately than in many earlier maps.
This map is an example of the evolutionary processes taking place in cartography. As exploration and its concomitant charting took place, this information was compiled by cartographers who strove to publish the most recent news, while at the same time bringing to print information from unpublished manuscripts. The maps of this era are more scientific and less decorative than earlier works, yet still possess decorative charm. L’asie is embellished with a title cartouche and another for the legend.
Pierre Duval was the nephew of Nicholas Sanson, and his work was primarily editing and augmenting Sanson's innovative cartography. He and Hubert Jaillot were instrumental in bringing Sanson's work to the forefront, publishing improved editions as well as previously unpublished Sanson manuscripts.
Condition: Map is in B+ condition with some areas in the map where the paper has thinned on the verso. Lower margin is narrow, but does not cut away at the neatline. Lovely color and strong impression on clean and bright paper.
Inventory #11594
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