RVSSIÆ, vulgo MOSCOVIA dictæ, Partes Septentrionalis et Orientalis.

Decorative map of the northern portion of Russia, between Lake Ladoga and the Ural mountain range, with Nova Zemlya still incomplete. The scale cartouche depicts hunters and their prey, including a bear, deer and arctic fox. Joan (John) Bleau (1596-1673) was a son of a famous Dutch cartographer, Willem Janzoon Bleau, and he shared his father’s passion and continued his work. Joan Bleau’s 'Atlas Maior' is one of the most extraordinary work within this category ever produced. It is known for its exquisite engraving, calligraphy and colouring as well as heraldic detail, pictorial work and the intricate cartouches, which all amounted to the appeal of this work. In fact it is argued that some of the maps produced by Joan were considered to be the finest published anywhere in the seventeenth century.

Fine condition light watermark to top left margin not affecting image