Willem & Jan Blaeu
44 x 56 cm
Blaeu's important map of Russia. Based on the initial map of his apprentice Hessel Gerritz first published in 1614, this map became the standard model for maps of the country for over fifty years. Gerritz obtained the original source map from Isaac Massa, a Dutch merchant who was promoting a trading venture to Eastern Europe. Massa obtained it from the Court of the King of Poland, making it the most accurate map of the region available at that time.
The plan of Moscow on the upper left is also of particular note as it details the expansion of the city under Ivan the Terrible and it is credited to Feodor, son of Boris Godunov. This map is a cornerstone of any collection of maps of Russia.
Latin text on verso (image available on request). Original hand colour.