This large fine beautifully hand coloured original antique map of the Russian Empire, Central Asia & China by Henri Abraham Chatelain in 1720 was published in his famous Atlas Historique.
This is a magnificent map with bright hand colouring, clean strong sturdy paper and a heavy clear impression.

This is a grand map of the Russian Empire extending from Finland to China and Tartary. Novya Zembla is shown connected to the mainland. Just below the Arctic Circle, Witsen's mountainous peninsula is shown with an unknown eastern coastline. The eastern coastline, with Terre d' Eso d'Yeco, is depicted via faint engraved lines and there is no Kamchatka Peninsula. The map is flanked by panels of French text with historical notes, the provincial coats-of-arms, and six medallions. Printed on two joined sheets, as issued.
It is scarcely necessary to look at a map of Russia - with which we must include Siberia - to visualize the daunting task facing Russian map makers. Indeed, considering the vastness of their territory and the lack of skilled cartographers, it is surprising that relatively good maps were available for engraving and printing in most of the well known sixteenth and seventeenth century atlases. Generally, maps of that time were based on material brought back from Moscow by visitors from the West. 

The Atlas Historique published by Henri Chatelain was part of a major work of its time, an encyclopedia in seven volumes, including geography as one of its main subjects. The text was by Nicholas Gueudeville and the maps by Chatelain. The Atlas included one of the finest map of America (four sheets) surrounded by vignettes and decorative insets. The Atlas Historique was completed between 1705 and 1720, further issues were published up to 1739. The series was published in Amsterdam, with Chatelain’s maps based on those of G. Delisle. (Ref: M&B; Tooley)   

General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - White
Age of map color: - Early
Colors used: - Pink, green, yellow, blue
General color appearance: - Authentic 
Paper size: - 40in x 17in (1.10m x 430m)
Plate size: - 39in x 16in (1.0m x 405mm)
Margins: - min. 1in (25mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None

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