1719 - "Carte la plus nouvelle et plus-exacte du Royaume de Perse, avec ses Côtes, Villes Maritimes, tous les Pays qui en dependent, et ses Lieux circonvoisins"

A fine map of Iran and the Middle East. The map depicts from the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea and from the Mediterranean Sea and Turkey to Central Asia. Highly detailed, Van Da Aa declares that the map was created using information provided by the most diligent and recent travellers. Divided into numerous different states, an idea of the different regional divisions is conveyed. Parthia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Asia Minor, three different Arabian States and Egypt are amongst those labelled. The Persian Gulf (Sinus Perisicus) and the Red Sea (Mare Rubrum) are focal points, along with the Caspian Sea. The Tigris and Eurphrates Rivers are both shown, though neither labeled. Several cities are labeled including Kandahar, Mosul and Ninevah. Special attention is accorded to the Holy Land, which is labeled Galilaea and Jerusalem is depicted by a city in profile, unlike all the other labeled here. A decorative title cartouche is shown in the bottom left flanked with two magnificent individuals.

Pieter van der Aa (1659 – Leiden, August 1733) was a Dutch publisher best known for preparing maps and atlases, though he also printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated volumes. He also printed many maps that were often out of print, which he reissued. Some of his most popular maps were of the African continent, detailing locations such as Morocco and Madagascar. Many of his later works were printed for the general public in French and Dutch. Pieter van der Aa began his career at Leiden in 1683 as a Latin trade publisher, publishing classical texts pertaining to medicine and science. As he progressed, he began to publish atlases and maps, compiling numerous multi-volume collections of works. His ambition to become Leiden's most famous printer was fulfilled in 1715 with his appointment to head printer for the city and its university. One of Pieter van der Aa's largest compilations relates to the history of Italy and Sicily, an area of immense personal interest. Though he took credit for many of his compilations, several, such as the Dutch collection of travels to the East and West Indies, were admittedly simple improvements to others' works.

Size approx 37cm x 29.5cm including margins.

Fine dark impression in very fine condition.