China. Lot of 15 (contemp.) handcol. engr. maps... Lot 4794

[China]. Lot of 15 (contemp.) handcol. engr. maps of the Chinese provinces, each ±41x50 cm., from J. BLAEU, Atlas Novus Sinensis and/or the China part of the Asia part of the Atlas Maior, ±1655. - Lacks 2 maps (China and Japan); most maps w. ample margins; occas. sl. frayed/ w. marginal tears; the "Pecheli" map browned; all other maps varying from trifle to sl. browned. = ALMOST COMPLETE RUN of this rare early series of maps. All maps are blank on verso. Blaeu's maps of China were engraved after Martinus Martini's sketches and observations. Martini (1614-1661) was a Jesuit missionary who worked in China from 1642, amassing many Chinese books and maps, including a copy of Zhu Siben's 14th-century atlas of Chinese provinces, with amendments from Lo Hongxian's atlas of 1555. Van der Krogt/ Koeman II, 2:501 (on Novus Atlas Sinensis); Van der Krogt/ Koeman II: 8210:2B/ 8421:2-8435:2. SEE ILLUSTRATION PLATE.