Description
Original mid-18th-century copperplate engraving with two Chinese city plans from the Dutch edition of Prévost’s Histoire générale des voyages: Xi’an (labeled Si-ngan-fu, capitale) and Tchouang-Lan (Zhuanglang). Bilingual French/Dutch captions, engraved by Jacob van der Schley after Jacques-Nicolas Bellin. Uncolored, blank verso. A classic Jesuit-era depiction of walled cities with a compass rose and schematic fortifications-an excellent, affordable example of early Western cartography of China.
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Authentic c.1748-1749 sheet; Bellin design, van der Schley engraving
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Dual city plans with rare bilingual layout (French header; Dutch footer)
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From Histoire générale des voyages (Dutch/Leyden issue)
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Paper & size: laid paper, sheet by sight about 13 x 9.5 in (measure to confirm)
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Condition: strong, dark impression; overall age toning; edge creases and handling; rough/softened corners with small margin tears and waviness, most noticeable upper left; clean image area. Please view all photos for exact condition and details
A desirable 18th-century China map that displays beautifully and remains widely collected for its Bellin/van Schley authorship and the depiction of Xi’an, one of China’s historic capitals.
