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Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) ranks as one of the greatest cartographers in history, not only for the extremely fine maps he produced, but also for the innovations which he introduced into cartographic science. Until the end of the sixteenth century, Ptolemy's concept of depicting sections of the world in trapezoidal configurations, like gores from a globe, had predominated. Mercator, however, stated that small sections of the earth were not significantly distorted toward the poles if longitude lines were represented as parallel by squares or rectangles. The development of the "Mercator projection," which became the established convention, was particularly important for the improvements it allowed in navigational methods.
Through his constant accumulation of new geographic and cosmological data, Mercator was able to produce the most accurate and current maps of his day, which unlike most of his contemporaries' maps were mostly original work. His maps not only are excellent cartographically, but they are aesthetically superb as well, with beautiful cartouches, stippled seas and other exquisite ornamentation. Mercator intended to produce a complete description of creation, heaven, the earth and the seas, a project he was only beginning when he died. Such was his influence that the title he chose for this projected work, "Atlas," has now become the generic name for all collections of maps.
This map focuses on the areas around Moscovia and includes Scandinavia in the upper left quadrant. Thus it shows that part of Russia which is in Europe. A fine, early map. $950
Jodocus Hondius. "Tartaria." From the Mercator-Hondius Atlas. Amsterdam: J. Hondius, [1606]. 13 3/8 x 19 1/4 (platemarks) plus full borders. Engraving. Original hand color. Full margins. Paper very clean except browning at far right margin. Reinforced centerfold. Very good condition.
A stunning Renaissance map by Jodocus Hondius showing the edges of the 'known world' in the early seventeenth century. Hondius purchased the plates for Gerard Mercator's famous Atlas in 1604, and began to issue new editions beginning in 1606. These editions contained maps from Mercator's plates, but Hondius began to include his own maps with new information, such as this map of Asian Russia. The map is drawn in the mannerist style much like Mercator's plates, with three wonderful strap-work cartouches, two costumed figures, and beautiful calligraphy. The cartographic information, which was compiled by Hondius, is fascinating.
The Great Wall of China, rivers, towns, and lakes are named and indicated from "Moskua" to the "Anian Fretum." While this Anian Strait is in the correct position of the Bering Strait, its depiction is based solely on speculation rather than first hand information from explorations. This is quite typical of this map, for it is not surprising that a rendering of the regions of the world at the edges 'known world' would contain as much fiction as fact. There is some accurate, newly, discovered information, including the mapping of the west coast of Nova Zembla, but there is much more that is simply myth or geographic error. Amongst the most noticeable of the latter are the lands of Gog and Magog, and Korea rendered as an island. An excellent map, decoratively and historically. $1,500
Isaac Massa. "Russiae volgo Moscovia dictae. Partes Septentrionalis et Orientalis. Auctore Isaaco Massa." Amsterdam: Joan Blaeu, 1642-43. 16 1/2 x 21 1/4. Engraving. Original hand color. Very good condition. Dutch on verso.
A nice example of Joan Blaeu's map of Moscovy, that is northern and eastern Russia. Considerable trade in Russia in the period came down the Dvina River from Archangel on the White Sea and this map shows all the small towns along that river. Other towns, rivers, lakes and other topography is indicated. Small vignettes of bears and elk populate the lands and two Russian inhabitants and fauna add decorative appeal to the cartouche for the scales of miles in the lower right. The title cartouche in the upper left, with pelts shown hanging from it, is flanked by a small cartouche with the imperial two-headed eagle. A nice map of the period. $575
Johann Baptist Homann. "Generalis Totius Imperii Moscovitici." Nuremberg: J.B. Homann, ca. 1720.19 1/4 x 22 1/2. Engraving. Original hand color. Very good condition.
While the French and then the English generally dominated the cartographic world in the eighteenth century, the Homann firm from Nuremberg, Germany was producing many influential maps and atlases during this time. The firm was founded about 1702 by Johann Baptist Homann, who was appointed Geographer to the Emperor in 1715. In 1724, upon J.B. Homann's death, the company passed on to his son, Johann Christoph Homann and then to his heirs, who traded under the name of Homann Heirs. This map shows the entire Russian Empire from the Dniper to the Pacific. The map shows the Black and Caspian Seas, and extends into the northern part of China, where the Great Wall is depicted. The interior detail of rivers, lakes, and settlements is impressive. Homann doesn't commit to whether Asia connects with North America, leaving a peninsula in the northeast open ended as it extends into the Pacific. The Homann firm is known for their wonderful decorative cartouches and this map is no exception. The title cartouche shows a host of symbolic figures presenting various aspects of knowledge to the Russian Emperor. In the upper left are some images of a whale hunt in the northern seas. $500
John Baptiste Homann. "Topographische Vorstellung der Neuen Russischen Haupt Residenz und See-Stadt St. Petersburg..." Nuremberg, ca. 1720-40. Engraving. Original hand color. 19 1/4 x 23. Insets: Map of the Neva and View of Kronstadt Castle. Paper age browned and center fold with slight distressing as expected.
A fine and scarce city plan of the one of the great cultural capitals of the World. Peter the Great (1682-1725) had moved his capital from Moscow to Saint Petersburg in 1703 as part of his campaign to westernize Russia. He built an ideal city that would house his reforms in government and provide a seaport to the rest of Europe. This city plan is presented in a beautiful manner by a German printer who worked with French cartographers of the time, and this kind of production was typical of Russian procedures during Peter's reign as Czar and later. The plan gives details showing how the city was designed with extensive orderly blocks as well as individual estates and forts. The allegorical title cartouche illustrates the sciences of geography, printing, astronomy, portraiture (of Czar Peter), commerce, medicine and literature. Even the chart of the Neva River shows Saint Peter at the gates of heaven. A lovely and important city plan. $1,500
Jean Janvier. "Russie d'Europe avec la partie la plus peuplée de celle d'Asie." From Atlas Moderne. Paris: Jean Lattré & J. Thomas, 1762. 12 1/8 x 17 3/4. Engraving by Lattré. Original outline color. Very good condition.
Jean Janvier was a French cartographer who worked in Paris in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Among his output were some fine maps which appeared in Jean Lattré's Atlas Moderne. This atlas contained maps of all parts of the world engraved by Lattré, the "Graveur Ordinaire du Roi." Janvier's maps contained the best information available at the time, done with typical French precision and care. The map has a finely etched title cartouche, in the upper right corner. $275
John Cowley. "Russia or Muscovy in Eurpe." From A New and Easy Introduction to the Study of Geography. London, 1777. Engraving. Ca. 4 1/2 x 5 1/2. Very good condition.
A fine, small map of Russia from John Cowley, "Geographer to his Majesty." $ 75
[Western Russia] Possibly London, ca. 1790. Engraving. 18 x 24 1/2. Half inch worm hole at top of centerfold. Slight age spotting. Overall, very good condition.
A study on an unusual projection, featuring sinusoidal lines emanating from the top left corner. The land of the Czars is depicted with much detail with Moscow ("Moskwa") located at the one third point from west to east. Less detail to give relative distances is shown in Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea, Poland, Hungary, the Sea of Venice, the Balkans, Turkey, Armenia, Persia, and the Tashkent Region. The information was derived from the various military and geographic academies in Russia at the time. The work of Aleksandr Vil'brekht most closely resembles the information included, and the style of engraving suggests French sources with more modern British printing inspired by the Arrowsmiths. The decorative view with the monument set on a rock formation and the scale of miles in Russian and German suggest this multi-country source. $275
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