1638 Taurica Chersonesus, Nostra aetate Przecopsca, et Gazara dicitur

By: William Blaeu Date: 1638 (Published) Amsterdam  Dimensions: 15 x 19.75  inches (38 cm x 50 cm) This interesting antique map shows wide swathes of Russia, Asia and Persia along with parts of Lithuania, and with the currently-disputed Crimea/Tartaria region. The entire north shore of the Black Sea is depicted and its major cities are noted and named. Major rivers are noted and named and include among others, the Danube, the Dnieper, the Don, the Volga and the Oka.   At the time this map was made, relatively little was yet known about Russia, and much of what was shown on maps was taken from the reports of hunters and explorers. This map features a mistake in the location of the famed, ancient Russian city of Novgorod, which is located to the northwest of Moscow. Here Moscow is depicted as being far to the northeast of Novgorod, an example of inaccurate reports having been made, or of someone having misinterpreted reports.  Ports, fortified cities, towns, forests and mountains are all