Philipp Clüver; 1580-1622.
Clüver, also known as Philippi Cluverii, was born in Danzig
(present days Gdansk in Poland), but did most of his studying
in Holland and England.
He quickly specialized in "historical" geography. Having limited
cartographic abilities, he relied extensively on the map making
skills of renown authors, such as Petrus Bertius, Petrus Kaerius.
Of note, his publishing of Germania Antiqua, Italia Antiqua,
Sicilia Antiqua. Their never obsolete subjects insured continued
re-edition long after his passing away (till 1724!).
His "Introductionis in Universam Geographicam tam veterem
quam novam libri", first printed in 1624, had even a more
impressive longevity, with issues in varying formats dating
until 1729 (or later).
Imperii Sinarum nova descriptio.
This map (10 1/16" X 8") is a reduced version of an earlier
(same title) work by Joan Blaeu; it was designed for the "Introductionis.".
The present item is a second state (first state in 1667 with
a much simpler cartouche). It was probably printed for the
1697 edition.
The vignette shows a Jesuit father engaged in conversation
with a chinese nobleman and a woman tending a large incense
burner.
Provinces and cities are quite correctly depicted, even inland.
So are the great wall and the course of the chinese rivers.
But notice the fictitious interior sea feeding five rivers
(including the Mekong).
No text on verso.
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