Ortelius (Abraham)

Chinae, olim Sinarum regionis nova descriptio, First State, [Van den Broecke, no.164, 1584L93], from the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Latin text verso, hand-coloured, browning and discolouration, small wormtrail at centre, 442 x 565mm, Antwerp, 1584.

***“When this map appeared, it was by far the most accurate one of China. Japan is shown on a curious curved projection reminiscent of Poruguese charts of the period with Honshu dissected along the line of Lake Biwa. The Great Wall is shown but with 400 miles only; its length is grossly underestimated. The Tartar ‘yurts’ are dotted across the plains and steppes of Central and East Asia.”