NORTHERN & CENTRAL ASIAN CONTINENT 1761 PRAY UNUSUALANTIQUE COPPER ENGRAVED MAP

Mappa exhibens Populos Interioris ASIAE, et HVNNORVM IMPERIVM ab anno Ante Natum Christum CCXX. 

Description: Striking and highly detailed fine unusual original copper engraved map of Central and Northern Asia (historically identified as Tartary) and attempts to reconstruct the territories occupied by the peoples of the Asian interior and the extent of the ancient Hunnic Empire (Hunnorum Imperium).
 
Key Graphic Elements:
 
Decorative Cartouche: At the bottom left is a rich baroque cartouche supported by human figures, surmounted by a large pyramid or stylized mountain. The text within specifies the geographic and ethnic nature of the map, dating the peoples covered to before the birth of Christ.
 
Historical Place Names: The map clearly identifies regions and kingdoms from the classical and medieval era or historiography, such as Rvssia, Tartary, Persia, India, Tibet, China, Kores (Korea), and Iaponia (Japan).
 
Author and Origin: This is an engraving from the historical work by the Hungarian scholar and Jesuit György Pray (also known as Georgius Pray), entitled Annales veteres Hunnorum, Avarum et Hungarorum, published in Vienna around 1761.

Date: 1761 approx. ( undated )

Dimension: Paper size approx.: cm 54,8 x 37,7

Condition: Very strong and dark impression. Map sticked on old original paper on reverse. Handwritten notes along the borders affecting partially the map. Map uncolored. Small foxing and browning. Map folded. Conditions are as you can see in the images.

Mapmaker: György Pray (also: George Pray, September 11, 1723 – September 23, 1801) was a Hungarian Jesuit abbot, canon, librarian of the University Library of Buda, and an important historian.