844 - JOHN SPEED (1551/1552-1629)

JOHN SPEED (1551/1552-1629) A Newe Mape of Tartary [Nouvelle carte de la Tartarie]. Londres, 1626 51.8 x 39.6 cm. Uncoloured engraved map in the ‘carte à figures’ style, with vignettes of towns including Astrakhan and Samarkand and eight figures in national costume. The map covers the region from Lake Baikal across present-day Manchuria and Siberia north of the Great Wall of China. The vignettes show important Silk Road cities: Astrakhan, Samarkand and Cambalu, the capital of Cathay. The Kingdom of China is also shown, with the wall separating it from Cathay inscribed ‘A wall of 400 leagues built between the valleys of the mountains by the King of China against the invasions of the Tartars’. The English text on the reverse gives a fascinating description of the regions. The title cartouche intended for a dedication is left blank. The map is backed with archival paper, 39.5 x 51.5 cm. Upon the buyer’s request, we are pleased to provide a general condition report for the Lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise prospective buyers to conduct their own inspection or consult a specialist or restorer of their choice for a comprehensive professional assessment. Any condition descriptions provided in the catalogue or through any correspondence are for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for a firsthand evaluation. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’ IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.