Rarest Old Map of China, 1593 by Cornelis de Jode – First European Chart of China, Japan and Korea

This old, exceedingly rare map of China was originally published in Gerard De Jode’s atlas, “Speculum orbis terrae”, in 1593. It’s one of the earliest, if not the earliest, European map of China – and the first to show the Korean peninsula taking shape (but it still had a long way to go). It is also one of the rarest maps of China – there are likely less than 10 original copies still in existence.

In the four corners of the map are representations of how Europeans thought that the Chinese and Japanese lived their lives. Take a look at the bottom left corner, where a three-headed man is being worshipped by two other men…

The map focuses on China, but it also has nice renderings of northern India and the Ganges river, and a very nice early version of the Japanese islands.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12×16 inches (30x40cm), 16×20 inches (40x50cm) and 18×24 inches (45x60cm), but it looks even better when printed large. I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 80 inches (200cm) wide. Please get in touch if you’re looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 20×16 inch (50x40cm) version of this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, work leaving, housewarming, Christmas or Father’s Day gift for someone from China or who is interested in the history of the Far East.

You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you’d like a different frame. We use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) in our frames – it’s less reflective than glass and better for transport.