CHINA KOREA JAPAN 1830ca LAPIE UNUSUAL ANTIQUE ORIGINAL COPPER ENGRAVED MAP

Empore de la Chine et du Japon Dressée par P. Lapie, Géographe. 

Description: Striking and highly detailed fine unusual Pierre Lapie’s 1830 approx. original copper engraved map depicting the political and administrative divisions of China and Japan. The map covers also Korean Peninsula & Taiwan. The relief is shown by hachures, a technique used to represent terrain through shading.
 
The map is notable for its detailed representation of major cities, rivers, and mountains, providing insight into the geography of the region during the early 19th century. The use of hand-colored outlines helps differentiate between various political and administrative regions. The longitude is based on the meridian of Paris, reflecting the European cartographic standards of the time.
 
The composition of the map emphasizes accuracy and detail, characteristic of Lapie's work, who was known for his contributions to cartography in the 19th century. The map's style is classical, with a focus on clarity and precision, devoid of the vignettes that sometimes accompanied maps of this period.
 
Culturally and historically, this map offers a glimpse into the geopolitical landscape of East Asia during the early 1800s, a time when European interest in the region was growing. The inclusion of both China and Japan highlights the importance of these nations in global trade and politics.
 
The map is part of a world atlas, reflecting the European endeavor to document and understand the world comprehensively. It is the second edition of its kind, with updates described by Lapie, including changes to maps of North America influenced by the Lewis and Clark expedition.
 
This work was intended for educational and reference purposes, as indicated by its inclusion in an atlas used for geographical studies. The map's meticulous detail and historical context make it a significant artifact for understanding early 19th-century views of Asian geography.
 
Source: Pierre Lapie. Atlas Classique et Universel De Geographie Ancienne Et Moderne, Servant tant à l'instruction de la Jeneusse qu'à l'intelligence de l'Histoire et des Voyages dans les differentes parties du MondeDressé pour l'Instruction de la Jeunesse, et notamment pour les Colleges Royaux, et les Ecoles Militaires. Par M. Lapie, Colonel au Corp Royal des Ingénieurs Géographes Militaires, Chevalier des Ordres Royaux de Saint-Louis et de Légion d'Honneur. ancient Directer du Cabinet Topographicque du Roi. Cinquième Édition, Revue et Corrigée. A Paris, Chez Anselin, Successeur de Maginet ... Et Chez Poquet.

Date: 1830 approx. ( undated )

Dimension: Map size approx.: cm 39,7 x 27,8

Condition: Very strong and dark impression on good paper. Map old original colored. Wide margins. Small foxing and browming. Small hole along the top margin due to the binding. Conditions are as you can see in the images. 

Mapmakers: Pierre M. Lapie (fl. 1779 - 1850) and his son Alexandre Emile Lapie (fl. 1809 - 1850) were French cartographers and engravers active in the early part of the 19th century. The Lapies were commissioned officers in the French army holding the ranks of Colonel and Capitan, respectively. Alexander enjoyed the title of "First Geographer to the King", and this title appears on several of his atlases. Both father and son were exceptional engravers and fastidious cartographers. Working separately and jointly they published four important atlases, an 1811 Atlas of the French Empire (Alexander), the 1812 Atlas Classique et Universel (Pierre), the Atlas Universel de Geographie Ancienne et Modern (joint issue), and the 1848 Atlas Militaire (Alexander). They also issued many smaller maps and independent issues. All of these are products of exceptional beauty and detail. Despite producing many beautiful maps and atlases, the work of the Lapie family remains largely underappreciated by most modern collectors and map historians. The later 19th century cartographer A. H. Dufour claimed to be a student of Lapie, though it is unclear if he was referring to the father or the son. The work of the Lapie firm, with its precise engraving and informational density, strongly influenced the mid-19th century German commercial map publishers whose maps would eventually dominate the continental market.