1687 Sanson / Rossi Map of Asia
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Description: A spectacular 1687 map of Asia by the important Italian cartographer Giovanni Giacomo De Rossi. Depicts the entire continent as well as parts of Europe, Africa, and the East Indies. In drawing this map Rossi drew heavily upon Nicholas Sanson’s map of Asia in ancient times. In East Asia the cartography is still fairly speculative. Hokkaido is shown attached to the mainland in a vast peninsula named Yvpi. Separated from this landmass by the narrow Strait of St. Vries is a mysterious landmass called Ieco, a name which itself is commonly associated with Hokkaido. West of Japan, Korea appears as a narrow peninsula after the Mercator-Honduis example. Further inland, in western China, Chiamay Lake is depicted. This mythical body of water was postulated by Ortelius as source for the great rivers of Southeast Asia. In a marked departure from Sanson’s map, Rossi corrects the orientation of the Caspian Sea to the proper north-south axis. In the East Indies he separates New Guinea into separate islands, “Terra de Papous” and “N. Guinea”. In the far north the Mongol empire is labeled Magog, referencing Marco Polo’s association of Mongolia with the Biblical land of “Magog.” An attractive decorative title cartouche referencing the military prowess of the Saracens and the Mongols adorns the upper left quadrant. Prepared in 1687 by Rossi for issue in Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola’s important Mercurio Geografico….
Date: 1687 (dated)
Source: Cantelli da Vignola, Giacomo, Mercurio geografico overo guida geographica in tutte le partie del Modo..., Rome, (1668 - 1693).
References: Phillips (Atlases) 515. Shirley, R.W., (BL Atlases) T.ROSS-1a.
Cartographer: Nicholas Sanson (1600 - 1667) and his descendents were important French cartographer's active through the 17th century. Sanson started his career as a historian where, it is said, he turned to cartography as a way to illustrate his historical studies. In the course of his research some of his fine maps came to the attention of King Louis XIII who, admiring the quality of his work, appointed Sanson "Geographe Ordinaire du Roi". Sanson's duties in this coved position included advising the King on matters of Geography and compiling the royal cartographic archive. Sanson's corpus of some three hundred maps initiated the golden age of French Cartography. He is most admired for his construction of the magnificent atlas Cartes Generales de Toutes les Parties du Monde. Sanson's maps of North America, Amerique Septentrionale (1650) and La Canada ou Nouvelle France (1656) are exceptionally notable for their important contributions to the cartographic perceptions of the New World. Both maps utilize the discoveries of important French missionaries to the interior and are among the first published maps to show the Great Lakes in recognizable form. Sanson was also an active proponent of the Insular California theory, wherein it was speculated that California was an island rather than an peninsula. After his death, Sanson's cartographic work was carried on by his sons, Guillaume (? - 1703) and Adrien Sanson (? - 1708), as well as by A. H. Jaillot and Pierre Duval, with whom the partnered. Click here for a list of rare maps from Nicholas Sanson.
Cartographer: Giovanni Giacomo De Rossi (1627 - 1691) was an Italian printer and publisher active in 17th century Rome. Giovanni inherited the important Rome based printing business originally founded by his father, Giuseppe de Rossi (1570-1639), in 1633. It was hard work and dedication, from 1633 to 1691 that ultimately pushed the firm to the heights of its success. By the mid 17th century the Rossi firm was considered the most active and important press in Rome. Their corpus of published prints include the work of Gimbattista Piranesi (1720-1778), Benedetto Castiglione (1609-1665), Pietro Testa (1612-1650) and Giovan Francesco Grimaldi (1606-1680). The Rossi firm was renamed Calcografia Camerale in 1738. In 1870 the Calcografia Camerale was again renamed Tegia Calcografica which it remained until 1945. Today the Rossi press is known as the Calcografia Nazionale and is a free museum located at 6 Via della Stamperia, Rome. The print and printing plate collections of the Calcografia Nazionale are among the largest and most important in the world. Click here for a list of rare maps from Giovanni Giacomo De Rossi.
Cartographer: Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola (1643 - 1695) was an important Italian cartographer and engraver active in 17th century Modena. Cantelli da Vignola is best known for pioneering the Italian style of fine bold engraving that would eventually be embraced and expanded upon by Vincenzo Coronelli. Vignola based his maps not just on earlier maps, but also upon the accounts prepared by travelers and merchants of journeys to foreign lands. Despite an impressive corpus of work, little is known of Vignola and his life. Click here for a list of rare maps from Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola.
Size: Printed area measures 22 x 16 inches (55.88 x 40.64 centimeters)
Condition: Very good condition. Original centerfold exhibits minor wear.
Code: Asia-rossi-1697 (Necessary for phone inquiries: 646-320-8650)
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