Heading: (China, Korea & Japan)
Author: Mercator, Gerard
Title: China
Place Published: [Antwerp]
Publisher:
Date Published: [1606 - printed later]
Description: Copper-engraved map, hand-colored. 34x45.5 cm (13½x18").Popular map of the mysterious east, with China, the Ganges basin, Korea, Japan, even a bit of North America across the Anian Fret. The map contains rudimentary geographical information, as there was very little actually known of the region during the early part of the seventeenth century. The interior of China is dominated by several large lakes and the mythical Chiamai Lacus forms the headwaters of five large rivers in northeastern India. The northwest coastline of America appears in the upper top corner with a notation that refers to the Tartar hordes that inhabit the region. There are vignettes of a deer, a fox, a sea monster, a European and a Japanese ship, and a unique wind-powered wagon. In one cartouche, a scene depicts the Japanese persecution of a Christian missionary, probably a reference to the martyrdoms in Nagasaki in 1597. German text on verso.

Some wear along centerfold with a few small holes and neat repairs, mat burn and toning most evident in margins, lighter streak along centerfold; the map image itself is quite nice, a clear impression, the hand-coloring original or of the period, though a little dull.