Large, detailed vintage map of Shanghai published for the Asia Geographical Institute.

This unusual map of Shanghai focuses on the foreign concessions of the city and was published in the brief period when Shanghai had been conquered by the Japanese but the foreign concessions were left to their own devices. This would change after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941.

The map was designed for the foreign community, hence its exclusive use of English. The foreign concessions are not named as such, but rather they are designated as "special districts". As noted on the lower margin, the map was drawn by Shao Cheng, edited by Ke Lang, issued by the Ya Kwang Geographical Institute and published by the Asia Geographical Institute. The latter two were possibly bookshops which both stocked the map and shared the cost of its publication.

This map bears the date of 1940 but was re-issued in 1945 with the date updated. This example had been separated from its envelope so we are unable to note if this is a first edition or second. Original colour. [SEAS5430]