De Land-Reyse, door Benedictus Goes, van Lahor gedaan, door Tartaryen na China

Interesting map showing the region of northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Assam and Bangladesh. At centre is the imaginary Chiamaeus Lacus with four huge rivers flowing south into Bangladesh and Burma. Decorated with a pictorial title cartouche of a council in a large tent. The map illustrates the narrative of the travels of Benedictus Goes, a Jesuit who left Lahore in 1603 bound eastward for Peshwar. During his travels, he encountered a hermit who told him of the City of Capherstam, whose inhabitants dealt severely with Muslims, but permitted others to enter their territory. The hermit had apparently been to the city and tasted its wine. Capherstam is believed to be Kafiristan.

Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch mapmaker and publisher who printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated books but is best known for his voluminous output of maps and atlases. Van der Aa was born to a German stonecutter from Holstein. Interestingly, all three van der Aa sons came to be involved in the printing business. Hildebrand was a copper engraver and Boudewyn was a printer.

Pieter van der Aa
Title
Map of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Assam and Bangladesh, De Land-Reyse, door Benedictus Goes, van Lahor gedaan, door Tartaryen na China
Publication Place / Date
Image Dimensions
/ Leiden, ca. 1700
25 by 15 cm
Color
Condition
Hand Colouring
VG
Product Price
Product Number
USD 200
SKU #M.0248