1752 Schely Plan or Map of Edo or Tokyo, Japan
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Description: This is an attractive and highly desirable c. 1752 map of Edo or Tokyo, Japan. Issued by Bellin and Schley for Prevost's Histoire Generale des Voyages, this map is cartographically based on a 1702 map of the same issued by Scheuchzer and Kaempfer, which itself is most likely based on Japanese maps. Centered on Edo Castle, this map depicts the whole of Edo as it existed, with numerous street shown but not named. Edo Castle itself is fancifully depicted as a French style formal garden. Possibly due to the cartographers inability to translate Japanese, the only three named locations on the map are Edo Castle, Japan Bridge, and the "Faubourg de Sinagawa". Here, in Sinagawa, the Tokugawa Shogunate maintained the Suzugamori Execution grounds where traitors to the state, criminals, and Christians were executed in an effort to contain "spiritual pollution". Drawn by N. Bellin and Schley for Abbe Prevost's Histoire Generale des Voyages.
Date: 1752 (undated)
Source: Provost, A. A., Prevost's Histoire Generale des Voyages, c. 1752.
Cartographer: Jacob Van der Schley (1715 – 1779) was a prominent Dutch engraver and draftsman based out of Amsterdam. Schley apprenticed under portrait engraver Bernard Picart, whose style he imitated. He is said to have completed several of Picart’s portraits following his master’s death. While Schley is primarily known for his work as a portraitist and illustrator, he also has a considerable cartographic corpus. He is known to have worked with Bellin, Hondt, and Provost, among others. Click here for a list of rare maps from Jacob Van der Schley.
Cartographer: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703 – 1772) is one of the most important cartographers of the 18th century. With a career spanning some 50 years, Bellin is an important transitional cartographer. His long career as “hydrographer” and "Ingénieur Hydrographe" to the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine resulted in the completion of hundreds of high quality nautical charts of practically everywhere in the world. Bellin’s work focuses on accuracy and tends to be less decorative than the earlier 17th and 18th century work of predecessors such as Homann. In addition to numerous works published during his lifetime, many of his maps were published posthumously. He was succeeded in his position by student Rigobert Bonne. Click here for a list of rare maps from Jacques-Nicolas Bellin.
Size: Printed area measures 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 centimeters)
Condition: Very good condition. Orignal fold lines visible but faint. Blank on verso.
Code: EdoTokyo-schley-1752 (Necessary for phone orders : 646-320-8650)
Framing: We offer optional framing services. The fee to frame and mat this map is 225.00 USD plus 35.00 USD shipping. This optional service is in addition to the cost of the map itself. Conservation framing is an excellent way to beautify and protect your antique map. Click here to read about our framing services and see our frame samples. To order framing, please call our customer service number.
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