China - Blaeu, Jan Theatrum Orbis Terrarum sive Novus Atlas. Pars Sexta [China and Japan] Amsterdam, [1655]. Large folio (500 x 315mm.), [title], [7], 171, [24], xii, 33, [iii], hand-coloured engraved architectural title and 17 hand-coloured engraved maps mounted on guards, Latin text, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, rubbed, repair to lower board, several scrapes, occasional browning or spotting of text, slight spotting to some maps, 17cm. tear to "Xansi" map (repaired on verso), "Chekiang" map with 6cm. strip torn from lower margin, very small tear to final leaf, previous ownership inscription washed from title Footnote: Note: This magnificent atlas was published both as a separate volume by Blaeu in 1655, with the title Novus Atlas Sinensis , as well as comprising volume VI of Blaeu’s Nieuwe Atlas 1649-58 in Dutch and Theatrum Orbis Terrarum; sive, Novus Atlas 1655 in Latin, as with the present copy. Blaeu's maps of China were engraved after Martini's sketches and observations. Martinus Martini (1614-1661), a Jesuit missionary, worked in China from 1642, amassing many Chinese books and maps, including a copy of Zhu Siben's 14th-century atlas of Chinese provinces, with amendments from Lo Hongxian's atlas of 1555. The hand-coloured double-page maps consist of a general map of China, 15 maps of the provinces, and a map of Japan, and the present atlas, as with many copies, does not have the main title. Condition report: See catalogue description. Xensi map slightly creased, short tear in lower margin; Worst spotting - p.57, 81, Occasional grubby mark (Quantung map at p.132); Nanking map - short tear in lower margin. Fokien map (p.120) slight discolouration.