The first folio map of Tartary engraved in England

BLOME, Richard.

A General Mapp of the Kingdoms of Tartaria. Designed by Monsieur Sanson, Geographer to the French King, and Rendred into English by Rick: Blome: by his Ma.tys Especiall Command.
London, 1670. 265 x 400mm.

A scarce map of Tartary, engraved by Thomas Burnford and published in Blome's 'Geographical Description of the Four Parts of the World'. It shows from the Caspian Sea east to the Great Wall of China and the northern half of Korea. There is no sign of Kamchatka on the Pacific coast of Asia.

Blome financed his publications by selling space on his maps for the armorials of subscribers: here we have a dedication to Roger Vaughan (1641-72) of Bredwardine and Moccas. The book 'Flagellum Parliamentarium: Being Sarcastic Notices of Nearly Two Hundred Members of the First Parliament after the Restoration' describes Vaughan as 'A pitiful pimping bedchamber-man to his Highness [Charles II], and Captain of a foot Company'. He was killed at the naval Battle of Sole Bay, leaving his estate deep in debt.


Stock ID : 15176