A superb example of an early map of eastern Asia that includes all of India, most of China, Indochina, the Philippines, and the Malay Peninsula including Singapore, which is here called “Cingatola.” Characteristic of the earliest European maps of the area, the coast of China is a relatively straight, diagonal..... More
A brilliant example in rich original hand color of the rare (and only) English language edition of the earliest printed, folio-size western map specifically of China by Ortelius and “the first to show the Great Wall” (Nebenzahl). “This map remained the standard type for the interior of China for over..... More
One of the earliest maps of China, depicting insular Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and the Great Wall in the north. The northwest coast of America can be found in the northeast corner of the map, separated from the Asian continent by the semi-mythical Strait of Anian. The map comes from..... More
A beautiful inky black and white example of the first English map of folio size of China, as well as arguably the most richly embellished, early map of the area by John Speed (1552-1629). The map also shows part of north-western America (upper right corner). “...Speed’s map visibly defines China..... More
This was the best, generally available map of its day of Southeast Asia. Dashed lines show the routes of trading vessels throughout the area, including the route that passed through present day Singapore. The much contended Spice Islands are shown in good detail as is the Philippines. The northern coast..... More
A distinctively decorated map of the Holy Land in a beautiful example. The map's exclusively Old Testament imagery in the cartouche includes the figures of Moses and Solomon. Abraham is also shown in the process of sacrificing Isaac, interrupted by an angel helpfully pointing out a ram hiding behind the..... More
A most unusual, beautiful, and rare world map-- the only one we have seen on the market that was conceived according to Buddhist cosmology. “It became the prototype of other Buddhist world maps” (Cortazzi). Accordingly, China and India are positioned at the center of the earth, and along with Japan..... More
Superb original-color example of the Renard edition of one of the most beautiful 17th-century charts of the area. Schilder described the maps of the De Wit firm as being "distinguished by their excellent craftsmanship, exactness and beauty." Romeyn de Hooghe’s intricately etched cartouche shows a European trader accompanied by a...... More
A super, dark-impressioned example with full, period wash coloring of an important map that impressively combined both European and Japanese sources. It was, in fact, one of the first European maps to both make use of Japanese sources and include Japanese characters. The engraving’s rich imagery mingles indigenous Japanese scenes..... More
An unusual, large-scale, 18th-century map providing a striking visual record of a remarkable number of important exploratory voyages of both the Pacific and the Arctic undertaken between the 16th and 18th centuries. Published at the dawn of the great age of transoceanic exploration, Sayer & Bennett’s 6-sheet Chart is an..... More
A very attractive example in full, original, wash coloring of one of the first surveys of the province of Bengal. The surveys were performed by James Rennell, appointed Surveyor General by the East India Company in 1767 and known as “The Father of Indian Geography.” His greatest work is considered..... More
Very rare. A superb example one of the finest views of Constantinople we have handled. The great city, seen here from the east, overlooking Üsküdar and the Bosphorus, appears as it was during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II. The Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque..... More
Very large, 4-sheet wall map, published for the Imperial Military Reserve Association, which presents a comprehensive (and graphically attractive) overview of the South Manchurian Railway (Mantetsu) as it stood in late 1931. Intended for ephemeral, official use and not as a decorative object, the map is remarkable for having survived..... More