Original antique map depicting the Crimean Penisular and surrounding regions, including Ukraine.
The Latin title translates to "Tauric Chersonese, in our age called Perekop and Gazara," the name given to the region under Tatar rule. It reflects 16th-century knowledge of the Black Sea area, and is a valuable historical document representing the political geography of Eastern Europe, specifically the Crimean Khanate's territory ("Przecopsca" from Perekop) and the Genoese trade footprint ("Gazara").
It also shows the Dnieper River, Sea of Azov.
Originally engraved by Mercator for his “Atlas”, it was later re-published by Hondius and later, Blaeu.
Mercator (1512-1594) was an accomplished mathematician, cartographer, globe maker and engraver but is best known for the Mercator Projection. Incorporating the newly accepted fact that the world is round, Mercator was able to render longitude lines consistently straight on a chart. Although this requires some distortion, it was of great use for navigators, and is historically important, as it is still the most commonly used projection today.
Blaeu was a prominent Dutch mapmaker, and his maps are considered to be amongst the finest examples of 17th century cartography.
Born the son of a herring merchant, Blaeu chose not fish but mathematics and astronomy for his focus. He studied with the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, with whom he honed his instrument and globe making skills. Blaeu set up shop in Amsterdam, where he sold instruments and globes, published maps, and edited the works of intellectuals like Descartes and Hugo Grotius.
