• Title : Imperii Sinarum Nova Descriptio Auctore Joh. van Loon
• Size: 26in x 22in (660mm x 560mm)
• Condition: (A+) Fine Condition
• Date : 1699
• Ref #:  61203

Description:
This superb original hand coloured antique map of China, Taiwan & Korea by Pieter Schenk & Gerald Valk was engraved by Johannes Van loon in 1699 and is derived largely from Jan Jansson and Joan Blaeu maps of China who borrowed heavily from data collected by the Jesuit Father, Martino Martini whilst travelling through China between 1643 and 1650, to construct their maps.

General Definitions:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color : - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, green, blue, pink, red
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 26in x 22in (660mm x 560mm)
Plate size: - 20 1/2in x 18 1/2in (520mm x 470mm)
Margins: - Min 2in (50mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - Light creasing along margin edges
Plate area: - Very light crease along centerfold
Verso: - Light colour show through

Background:
This map does deviate somewhat from that earlier model by Jansson & Blaeu, in its depiction of the Korean peninsula, showing a cluster of islands at its southern tip. The map is embellished with sailing ships and Chinese junks, with the the title cartouche flanked by both Chinese and Jesuit men with Putti surrounding the scale cartouche. Engraved by Johannes van Loon after Jan Jansson in 1657 and Joan Blaeu in 1655. (Ref: Tooley, Koeman)

Pieter Schenk 1660-1718 Gerard Valck 1651-1726
Pieter Schenk was born in Germany but settled in Amsterdam where he became a pupil of Gerard Valck, the engraver. In 1687 he married Valck s sister and thereafter the Schenk and Valck families were active over a long period with a wide range of interests as print sellers, publishers of books, maps, topographical and architectural drawings and globe makers. The Schenk family produced some fine original maps as well as using plates from the major works from Jansson, the Visschers, Sansons and others.