CHINA – MARTINI, M. – BLAEU, J. Seste Deel van... Lot n° 10128

[Amsterdam], Uytgegeven door Joan Blaeu, [1655]. 2 Parts in 1 vol.: [4],213,[19]; XVIII,40 pp. With engraved title, 1 double-p. engraved general map of China, 15 double-p. engraved maps (of the provinces of China) & 1 double-p. engraved general map of Japan, all in a fine CONTEMPORARY HAND-COLOURING. Large folio (ca. 50 x 34 cm.), 17th-cent. gilt panelled overlapping vellum with 4 green silk ties, both covers with gilt symmetrical ornaments & borders around sides, all edges gilt. [CHINA] – [MARTINI, M.] – BLAEU, J. Seste Deel van de Nieuwe Atlas, oft Toonneel des Aerdrijcx, [..]. Novvs Atlas Sinensis, A Martino Martinio Soc[ietate]. Iesu Descriptvs [..]. ¶ Koeman (Atlantes Neerlandici) I, p. 195 (Bl 52). Tiele 132n & 722 (listing the second Dutch edition publ. in 1656). Cordier (Bibl. Japonica) 372. Phillips 5294 (listing the French edition publ. in 1655). Cf. Catalogus NHSM I, p. 93, Cordier (Bibl. Sinica) 182, De Backer/ Sommervogel V, 649-650, Howgego M64, Lust 160 & Tooley (Maps and Map-makers) pp. 106-107 (all listing the Latin edition publ. in 1655). Rare first Dutch edition of volume VI of the famous atlas “Toonneel des Aerdrycks, ofte Nieuwe Atlas” (better known under the title of the Latin edition “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Sive Atlas Novus”, 1635-1655, 6 vols.) published by the Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu (ca. 1598-1673) comprising the first Dutch translation of the first European atlas of China “NOVUS ATLAS SINENSIS” by the Austrian Jesuit missionary MARTINO MARTINI (1614-1661) including 2 additional texts, resp. “Byvoeghsel van ’t Koninckryck Catay” by the Dutch orientalist Jacob Golius (1596-1667) & “Historie van den Tartarischen Oorlog, [..]” by Martino Martini. “Martini’s most important work is Novus Atlas Sinensis, [..]. This work, [..] was, in the words of the early 20th-century German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, the most complete geographical description of China that we possess, and through which Martini has become the father of geographical learning on China” (cited from Wikipedia). ¶ Odd volume (but complete in itself) illustrated with 17 engraved maps in a fine CONTEMPORARY HAND-COLOURING comprising “IMPERII SINARVM Nova Descriptio” (ca. 46 x 60 cm. Upper blank margin sl. frayed/ cropped to the plate-mark); “PECHELI, SIVE PEKING, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Prima” (ca. 39,5 x 48,5 cm.); “XANSI, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Secvnda” (ca. 39,5 x 48,5 cm. Small tear in lower margin); “XENSI, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Tertia” (ca. 39,5 x 48 cm.); “XANTVNG, Sinarvm Imperii Provincia Qvarta” (ca. 39,5 x 48,5 cm.); “HONAN, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Qvinta” (ca. 40,5 x 49 cm.); “SVCHVEN, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Sexta” (ca. 40 x 48 cm.); “HVQVANG, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Septima” (ca. 40 x 48,5 cm.); “KIANGSI, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Octava” (ca. 39,5 x 49 cm.); “NANKING, SIVE KIANGNAN, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Nona” (ca. 40,5 x 49 cm.); “CHEKIANG, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Decima” (ca. 40 x 49 cm.); “FOKIEN, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Vndecima” (ca. 40 x 48 cm.); “QVANTVNG, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Dvodecima” (ca. 40,5 x 49 cm.); “QVANGSI, Sinarvm Imperii Provincia Decimatertia” (ca. 40,5 x 49 cm.); “QVEICHEV, Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Decimaqvarta” (ca. 39 x 48,5 cm.); “IVNNAN Imperii Sinarvm Provincia Decimaqvinta” (ca. 40,5 x 49 cm.) & “IAPONIA REGNVM” (ca. 41,5 x 57 cm.). ¶ With defects (spine dam. lower part of backstrip missing, both covers sl. soiled, partly waterstained throughout in outer blank margins, foxed/ browned), but nevertheless the engraved maps in an acceptable condition. ¶ Provenance: This atlas was sold at our auction of 10 June 1994 (lotnumber 1333) and formerly in the possession of Dr. Jan Vixseboxse (1916-1986, Dutch sinologist & diplomat). Acquired by Drs. Roland van den Berg (1930-2019), Dutch sinologist & diplomat (Ambassador in Korea in 1978-1982, Ambassador in China in 1986-1992 & Ambassador in Japan in 1992-1995).