Japan. Henry Abraham Chatelain, L'Empire du Japon, Tire des Cartes des Japonnois, from Atlas Historique…, 1719 (published). Hand Color. This bold map of Japan is based on Adrian Reland's map of 1715. Reland's map was based on a Japanese model that had been produced as a travel map. As such, the geographical shape of the islands were made to fit into a predetermined format. This distorted shape resulted in a truncated Honshu, thus actually setting the European cartography of Japan backwards for a short period of time. On the other hand, the superb depiction of Kyushu is not surpassed until the 19th century. Reland's map is also important for its use of Sino-Japanese characters (in addition to Dutch) for all sixty-six provinces. Chatelain's version includes several errors in the Dutch names, which were likely not noticed by his French clientele. An inset map of Nagasaki shows the Dejima, an artificial island in Nagasaki harbor that housed the Dutch trading station of the VOC. Chatelain's elaborate cartouche notes the Japanese basis for the map, but does not mention Reland.

LITERATURE: Walter #70 & OAG-71.

A sharp, early impression on a bright sheet with a Strasburg bend and lily watermark. There is very minor soiling, otherwise fine. Grade: A

14.3 x 17.1 in