Asiae nova delineatio

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Excellent

Confirmed: 3/10/2024

Date Acquired: 3/5/2021

Dealers ID No.: 18960

Description: Nicolaes Visscher I, the only son of Claes Jansz. Visscher (#10, #11, #12, #292, #293) took over the family business after his fathers death in 1652. Around 16571658 Nicolaes created this map of Asia, which is believed to have first appeared in Volume 5 Johannes Janssoniuss 1658 Novus atlas (#34, #43, #107, #206, #255, #282). The map was later included in subsequent editions of Visscher's own Atlas Contractus orbis terrarum first published around 16571658.nIn July 1677, Nicolaes received a fifteen-year privilege from the States of Holland and West Friesland, granting him exclusive rights to produce maps and atlases. Afterward, he issued a new edition of the Atlas contractus and introduced the Atlas Minor, a smaller collection of maps designed for a broader audience. The inscription Cum Privilegio Ordin: General: Belgii Foederati at the bottom of this map indicates that it was created no earlier than 1677. nCartographically, the map corrects earlier European misconceptions by depicting Korea as a peninsula rather than an islanda common error in earlier maps. China is marked by several significant features, including the long expanse of desert labelled "Xamo" (derived from the Mandarin term for "sandy desert"), stretching across its western regions. The Great Wall of China is prominently displayed, highlighting its importance as both a geographic and cultural symbol.nThe map also incorporates the findings of Abel Tasmans 1644 expedition, including the Gulf of Carpentaria and the northern coastline of Australia, integrating these discoveries into the broader representation of the Asia-Pacific region.nDedicated to Henrico Dircksz. Spiegel, mayor of Amsterdam in 1655, 1659, 1663 and 1665 strongly suggests that the maps copperplate was originally engraved in 1655.

Engraver: Visscher I, Nicholaes (1618-1679)

First published: Janssonius, Johannes Atlas novus Vol. 5, Amsterdam: Johannes Janssonius, 1658

Mapmaker: Visscher I, Nicholaes (1618-1679)

Price: 1,100

Primary Category: Asia

Purchase Reference: Ledger 2022

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

References: Johannes Keuning, The Novus Atlas of Johannes Janssonius, Imago Mundi 8 (1951): 7198.nDavid Parry, The Cartography of the East Indian Islands: Insulae Indiae Orientalis, 11922.

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1677

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