Terre Artiche [Map of the Arctic Regions]; descritte Dal P. M. Coronelli M. C., Cosmografo della Sereniss Republica di Venetia [Published in Atlante Veneto, Nel quale si contiene la Descrittione Geografica ...] by Coronelli, Vincenzo - 1691

Venice: Vincenzo Coronelli, 1691. First State. Very Good. Folio [17.5x24in 44.5x81cm neatline, 19x26.25in 48.3x86.7cm sheet] Uncolored Northern hemisphere of the Arctic circle and countries bordering with Part of "Tartaria Settentrionale" and Latin and Italian narrative; vertical crease with binding trim remaining on verso, shadow along attachment of binding, repaired closed tear at bottom margin extending into map, interesting printing ink lines and smudges along neatlines (also noted on maps in reference atlas for 1693). [Burden 678, Rumsey 12186.101 ] CS. Vincenzo Coronelli (1650-1718) was an Italian Franciscan geographer that was known for publishing atlases and, more importantly, his large and accurate globes.

This Terre Artiche map was included in Coronelli's Atlante Vento, a comprehensive large atlas, with volume one issued in 1690 with additional volumes issued to 1701. This map is unusual in its projection and design of the northern hemisphere and the Arctic circle. The map covers the entire known Arctic lands and details the Scandinavian, Russian and Northern Siberian features. The North America arctic and Greenland along with Hudson's Bay are less defined. The annotations of the 17th century discoveries and voyages are noted from Barentsz, Hudson, Baffins, and others, along with notes from earlier Scandinavian voyages. The map is visually impressive with the two cartouches of clouds, wind heads, ice or glacier formations, and topped with a coat of arms.

This map was from the library of the late Dr. G. Warren Smith (1941-2021) of Pennsylvania. He had a long career as university professor and administrator, and was a collector of over 6,000 books, maps, illustrations, and artifacts relating to the Arctic, Alaska and Pacific Northwest.