THREE 18TH CENTURY COPPERPLATE MAPS OF JAPAN. Comprising: a map printed by H. A. Chatelain, Amsterdam 1719, VUE ET ...

THREE 18TH CENTURY COPPERPLATE MAPS OF JAPAN. Comprising: a map printed by H. A. Chatelain, Amsterdam 1719, VUE ET DESCRIPTION DE LA VILLE DE MEACO CAPITALE DU JAPON, uncoloured, 380 by 490mm (15 by 19.25 inches); a map by A. Zatta, Venice 1785, L'IMPERO DEL GIAPON..., with copperplate coloured, 330 by 430mm (13 by 17 inches) and a map by J. N. Bellin/ J. Van Schley, La Haye 1752, PLAN DE LA VILLE DE MEACO, uncoloured, 190 by 275mm (7.5 by 10.75 inches) (3)
The first (H.A.Chatelain): Fine composite sheet, with a large prospect of Miaco, and smaller engravings, including views of the town and temple at "Saccay", the Dutch factory at Deshima, Nagasaki, a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony, and of religious persecution.
The second (Zatta): Antonio Zatta's map of Japan is a good example of Italian cartography of this period. The geography is based very much on preceding examples by other European mapmakers, namely Kaempfer and Scheuchzer but the engraving and decoration are uniquely Italian in their appearance with a decorative title cartouche and distinctive style of colouring. The map was published in the fourth volume of Zatta's work, the 'Atlante Novissimo, Illustrato Ed Accresciuto Sulle Osservazioni, E Scoperte Dai Piu' Celebri E Piu' Recenti Geografi ..'. The name of the engraver, Pitteri, appears at lower right. An attractive and unusual map. Walter, Japan, OAG 119.
The third: (J.N. Bellin): A well engraved and detailed plan of the port and city of Meaco, present-day Kyoto. Jacques Nicolas Bellin was the leading French hydrographer of the mid-eighteenth century, best known for his chart-books and the maps prepared for inclusion in L'Abbe Prevost's 'Histoire Generale Des Voyages". Based on the latest reports and publications, this copies the larger format plan by Scheuchzer and demonstrates clearly the rectilinear arrangement of streets.