Beschreibung:

Title: Karta Morskikh Otkrytiy Rossiyskimi Moreplavatelyame... [in Russian, trans. as "Map of the Marine Discoveries of Russian Navigators in the Pacific and the Icy Seas Accomplished in Various Years. Compiled at His Majesty's Depot of Charts, Corrected by the Latest Observations of Foreign Navigators, and Engraved in the year 1802"] Author: Vilbrekht, Alexander Place: St. Petersburg Publisher: Date: 1802 Description: Engraved map, uncolored. 76.5x128.5 cm (30¼x50¾"), mounted on orange linen, dissected for folding. With label of Charles Picquet, Geographe, Paris, on the verso. In period red morocco slip case, gilt trim, coat of arms of Lord Charles Stuart de Rothesay. Rare and important Russian map of the northern Pacific and coasts adjacent, on Mercator's projection. Warren Heckrotte, in his notes, describes it in some detail: "Area covered is 40° to 72° north latitude and 156° to 256° east longitude from Ferro. This includes northwest coast down to Cape Mendocino. The chart is up to date with the observations of Mackenzie, Vancouver, La Perouse, Billings and Russian navigators showing Russian presence in Alaska and northwest coast at this time. In the region of Bering Strait. Vilbrekht has made use of Kobelev's map of Bering Strait (1784). There is a note regarding explorations of Baranov: 'Baranov walked up this river [Coppermine] 500 versts [this distance is much too great] along the inhabited cliffs. The base of the high mountains were still 48 hours travel away.' Vilbrekht compiled a first edition of this map in 1787, but at a smaller scale." Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte Provenance: Martayan Lan, 4/92 Francis Edwards, Catalogue 711, 1951, item 287 is a large folio atlas, made up of Russian published maps. One of these is "chart of the Siberian and North American coast, 1802". This is, I presume, this map. The price for the atlas was £20. Sir Charles Stuart was created Baron Stuart de Rothesay of the Isle of Bute on Jan 22, 1828. He lived 1779-1845. Was in the diplomatic service; chargé d'affaire in Madrid 1808; minister at the Hague 1815-16; ambassador to Paris 1815-30; ambassador to St. Petersburg 1841-45. His collection was sold at Sotheby & Wilkinson, 5/31 thru 6/14, 1855. References: Philips, Maps of Alaska, p33, but incorrect dimensions. Falk 1802-5, but incorrect dimensions. BC II, p 246 fn 53. W-GR, 1. Alaskan Boundary Tribunal U.S. Atlas, plate 6 (R). The northwest coast and southern Alaska are reproduced. Manuscript notes translates the Russian into French with comments. Humboldt, Political Essay on New Spain, Eng Ed,1811, vol II, p 388 notes and describes this map, and refers to it at several places in his text, including the note on Baranov. Lot Amendments Condition: Fine condition. Item number: 267432