A magnificent map published in 1671 By Nicholas Visscher. Entitled Israels Peregrination, or Forty Years Travel of the Children of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea and the Wilderness into Canaan, or the Land of Promise. The English text is "Newly translated by J. Moxon, Hydrographer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty." Also inscribed under the seal on the upper edge, "To his Grace James, Duke of Ormond & Chancelor of Oxford This Mapp is humbly dedicated by Joseph Moxon."

The map, a hand-colored intaglio print, depicts the route taken by the Israelites from Egypt through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. Also shown is the map of the Land itself with all its sites and land marks together with the regions settled by the Twelve Tribes. A short note in the lower right edge places the map "at the 33 Chapter of Numbers." Among the many other items included for the education of the viewer are the images of Aaron and Moses, with a plan of the Holy Temple between them. Further arrayed along the bottom of the map are pictures of the various ceremonial implements of the Temple. Note that the Mediterranean Ocean (called the Midland Sea) is at the top of the image rather than on the left side, the arrangement with which we are now accustomed. This former placement was common among the maps produced in that period.

plate size - 12 1/2" x 18 1/2"

This large old double-page hand colored engraving by Gerard Mercator was published 1623 in Amsterdam. In the lower left corner there is an illustration of Jonah being thrown from a decidedly 17th century sailing ship to face the awaiting sea monster and on the upper right an intricate cartouche with the map's title; the text is in Latin. The condition overall is very good with minor foxing, a tear outside the image on the upper left corner, a few small chips on the edges, a small repair on the lower left edge, two minor paper losses at the lower corners, and the remains of some hinges on the rear. The paper is lightly but evenly toned over the entire sheet. A beautiful example of the map making art from this period.

image size: height 14" x 19 ˝"

A circa 1545 wood-cut relief map by Sebastian Muenster printed in Basel. The map depicts "Syria, Cyprus, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Chaldea, and the two Arabias with moutains, bodies of water and cities." The text is in German and a frontispiece is printed on the reverse side. The condition of the leaf is good with light browning along a vertical center fold and pencilled doodles on the reverse side.

This fascinating map indicates a Palestine that extends from north of Tripoli (in present day Lebanon) down along the Mediterranean coast to south of Gaza, and west to the Jordan River and describes it as the land of the Jews. Syria is located further north and west.

height - 10"; width 13 - 13 3/4"

This French (Paris) engraved map by Rigobert Bonne - Hydrographer of the King (Louis XVI) was published in about 1785. This attractive map, which depicts the Asian portion of the Turkish Empire, has hand coloring on the territory borders and along the coasts. The Ottoman province of Syria includes all of present day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank. The engraving is in excellent conditions with wide margins.

image height - 12"; width - 17 1/4"