| Method | Copper engraved with hand colour |
| Artist | Robert de Vaugondy, Gilles |
| Published | Par le Sr. Robert, Geog. ord. du Roi, Avec Privilege, 1750. |
| Dimensions | 480 x 535 mm |
| Notes |
A mid-eighteenth century map of Japan, from Vaugondy's Atlas Universel. The islands are divided into seven provinces, with each region further divided into the territories of the daimyo. The southern part of Hokkaido is also shown, though not as part of the Japanese empire, as it was only formally incorporated in 1869 during the Meiji period despite attempts to settle the island in the Edo period by the displacement of the Ainu people from the southern peninsula. Along the left side of the map, the eastern parts of the Korean peninsula are shown in detail. At centre top, a large decorative title cartouche features vignettes of Japanese temples, as well as parasols, lanterns, ceramics, and baskets of fruit and flowers under a canopy topped by a pair of birds. Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766) and his son Didier (1723-1786) were French cartographers, publishers, and globe-makers, responsible for the publication of the Atlas Universel (1757), one of the most significant cartographical achievements of the 18th century. The de Vaugondy family were descendants of the cartographer Nicholas Sanson d'Abbeville, and inherited many of his plates. These were reissued with updated astronomical observations and corrected longitudinal and latitudinal information in the Atlas Universel. Didier continued reissuing the Atlas after his father's death, and was appointed geographer to Louis XV later in life. Gilles often signed his maps simply as Sr. (or Sieur) Robert, whilst Didier usually used 'Robert de Vaugondy' as his signature, occassionally adding 'fils' to clearly distinguish himself from his father. Condition: Central vertical fold, as issued. Minor acid burn from old mount to margins, not affecting map but within platemark. Large sword-and-heart watermark. Blank on verso. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £700.00 |
| Stock ID | 50998 |