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Description

A fine and uncommon map of central Asia, spanning the region from the Caspian Sea to central China. Showing the limits of exploration at the time, with elevations, rivers, occasional cities, and more mapped, this map shows one of the last regions to be well mapped by western sources.

A note in the lower left of the map sums up the current western understanding of the region: "Le frontiere non furono tracciate perche in molti luoghi sono incerte" (Frontiers were not traced because in many locations they are uncertain." This was the region at the heart of the infamous Great Game between Russian and British intelligence, an intelligence battle which was fought with ever-updated maps and geographical understanding of the area.

The toponyms used on the map are particularly interesting, with "Afghanistan" appearing alongside "Turchestan Afgano." Kabul is named, as is "Kascemir." Tibet is particularly unmapped.

This map was published in the 1890s in the seventh volume of Leanardo Vallardi's Nuova Geografia Universale, an extensive Italian text on global geography published in Milan.

Condition Description
Four-color stone lithograph. Minor vertical fold toning.