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Bidding has ended on this item. Item:1638 Merian (Gerritsz - Blaeu) Map RUSSIA Decorative!  |
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34.5 x 28 cm copperplate engraving, 38 x 33 cm sheet size, modern hand colour, Frankfurt, 1638 We are pleased to offer this scarce and beautifully engraved map of Russia and environs by Matthäus Merian (1593-1650), widely considered the foremost town view illustrator of the 17th century. Assisted by his sons and other fine engravers and carried on for more than fifty years after his death, the diverse and prolific output of beautifully engraved views from the Merian workshops remains one of the greatest accomplishments in 17th century visual arts. However, Merian also directed his engraving skills to the production of maps, although he based the maps on cartography of others - in this case the map is a close copy of the map of Russia with the same title published by Willem Blaeu (1571-1638). The original map as published by Blaeu was actually prepared by Dutch East India Company principal cartographer Hessel Gerritsz (1580-1633) after Russian sources in the second decade of the 17th century. The Merian version of the map is presented in a slightly smaller format, but with no loss of detail owing to Merian's consummate skill as an engraver. Wonderfully decorative, this fine example will make an elegant presentation if matted and framed.
Inset map of Arkhangelsk with figures in local costume - note long sleeves worn by both sexes:
The decorative martial cartouche features the crowned two headed eagle escutcheon symbolic of Russia's status as straddling both the continent of Europe and that of Asia. The reference to a manuscript map compiled by Fyodor II as source material seems somewhat dubious as he was just 16 years old when he was murdered:
Black
Sea and Ukraine - note sleepy village of "Czernobel" north of Kiev
which is shown as "Bialazeakiew". To get a sense of map
detail
consider that the distance from Moscow to Smolensk as seen below
measures just 35 mm actual size:
Scandinavia,
Baltics and adjacent Russia - note absence of St. Petersburg as the map
of course predates the establishment of that city by many decades:
 Note
bizarrely distorted Caspian Sea:
Note
tentative outline of Novaya Zemlya:
 Condition - Please note carefully: Map is in overall very good condition, strong impression with a prominent platemark, fine quality laid paper with watermark, no text on verso, two vertical folds as issued. Part of original binding strip is present on verso; its outline is faintly visible on recto as can be seen in photo. The hand colouring is of the highest caliber, and this exceptional map will make an elegant presentation if matted and framed. Two minor repaired tears to bottom margin, not crossing neatline. Some minor soft creasing mainly in centrefold area and some minor. As is usual with this series of Merian maps the paper is somewhat thin and chain lines are quite noticeable in margin, less so within image area. Inquiries welcome and we encourage you to visit our other auctions on eBay for more Merian maps. Note: Final auction price includes insured shipment within continental United States. All other customers to pay actual shipping costs via traceable means including full insurance. International buyers are wholly responsible for any applicable customs fees, duties or taxes upon receipt; these charges are NOT included in shipping charges or unit price. International buyers should verify what charges would apply to any resultant transaction with customs officials in their countries prior to bidding. Such charges are typically collected by the courier, e.g. FedEx, and are NOT additional shipping or handling fees. Terms and Conditions - Please read carefully: Payment accepted via PayPal. This secure eBay-owned service allows buyers around the world to use existing credit cards to make purchases and will result in immediate shipment. Please note that we do not bill credit cards directly - payment must be processed through PayPal. If you are unable or unwilling to utilise this convenient means of electronic payment, please contact us prior to placing any bids to see if alternate payment arrangements can be made. Bank wire transfers are acceptable on auctions over $500.00 or in countries where PayPal is not available; on auctions over $2000.00 bank wire transfer is preferred. Personal cheques will not be accepted. Successful bidders are expected to adhere to eBay policies in establishing contact within three days of auction closing time and completing transactions in a timely manner. We reserve the right to declare this auction void if there is a disruption to eBay operations during the two hour period prior to auction close. In such event, all bidders will be notified and the item will be relisted. - Bidders are cautioned that the problem of fraudulent "second chance offer" emails sent to unsuccessful bidders on eBay auctions has reached epidemic proportions. Please be advised that we NEVER participate in the "second chance offer" program on eBay and that any such email is illegitimate and intended to defraud. Please forward any such emails received regarding any of our auctions with full headers to the Transaction Interception department of eBay's SafeHarbor office. In addition, both successful and unsuccessful bidders are cautioned to be exceptionally vigilant regarding "spoofed" emails, fraudulent PayPal invoices and other common scams. In response to frequent inquiries, please be advised that the terms engraving, lithograph, woodcut etc. as used in our auction descriptions denote a PRINT, i.e. an image printed on a sheet of paper, and that all such items are unconditionally guaranteed to be original and authentic - we never offer reproductions. Please see our glossary for definitions of terminology used in our auction descriptions. We conduct our business in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America and are committed to complete customer satisfaction with every purchase. We encourage you to evaluate our eBay customer feedback as a convenient means of gauging our performance and reputation. "Some to beautify their halls, parlours and chambers... liketh, loveth, getteth, and useth maps, charts, and geographical globes" - John Dee (1527-1608)"...Maps begin as dreams, pass through a finite life in the world, and resume as dreams again..," - Thomas Pynchon
Maps
and Atlases
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Shipping and handling Item location: Indianapolis, IN, United States Shipping to: Worldwide
*The estimated delivery time is based on the seller's handling time, the shipping service selected, and when the seller receives cleared payment. Sellers are not responsible for shipping service transit times. Transit times may vary, particularly during peak periods.
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