Lot 120
  • 120

Huang, Qianren

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • 大清萬年一統天下全圖 Da Qing wannian yitong tianxia quantu [Complete map of the whole unified country of the Great Qing]. [China, Qing dynasty, 嘉慶癸亥, year of the wild boar, Jiaqing 8, i.e. 1803]
  • ink on paper and silk
Large hand-coloured woodblock map on 8 sheets, (image area 132 x 226cm.), plus a blank sheet, mounted on three hanging scrolls (each scroll approximately 173 x 95.5cm.), housed in a modern fitted wooden box, some stains, wear and loss, old repairs and restoration, slight wear to hanging scrolls

Provenance

Red ink ownership seals on title sheet, and repeated on final blank sheet: 家蔵钱渊景惠, (Qian Yuanjing family collection, unidentified name); and 山田家蔵 (Yamada family collection, unidentified name).

Literature

cf. Pegg, R.A. Cartographic Traditions in East Asian Maps (Hawai'i: Maclean Collection and University of Hawai'i Press, 2014), pp. 18-27

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A VERY RARE EARLY PRINTING OF HUANG QIANREN'S FAMOUS 'BLUE MAP' (see note to preceding lot).

The preface, reproduced below, consists of 268 Chinese characters, together with a variety of cartographic symbols or geometric shapes denoting the administrative divisions of the Qing empire (indicated as "S" below). The majority of the text is identical to that which appears on later versions of the Blue Map, however the ending (and obviously date), are different.

本朝幅員之廣亘古未有東西南朔莫可紀極而萬國之梯航重譯職貢稱臣者更指不勝屈乾隆丁亥年間餘姚黃千人曾為天下輿圖其中山川疆界都邑封圻靡不星羅棋布如指諸掌洵足瞻盛世之版章為遠近之覌度矣然其時金川西藏新疆州郡未經開闢而河道海口等尚不無挂漏之譏茲刻遵御纂諸書悉為增補較舊圖似加詳晰全圖內每方百里凡省從(S)府從(S)廳從(S)直隸州從(S)州從(S)縣從(S)關從(S)營鎮從(S)土司從(S) 其塞徼緜亘無際海嶼風訊不時難以里數計者載其方向俱仍舊式未敢稍易

己見再舊圖係用一板刊刷既難縷晰又不便携帶茲特刻為屏幅似于客路書箱易於藏弃倘海內博雅君子俯鑒予心再加整正使歸全璧則幸甚焉 嘉慶八年嵗在癸亥仲春中浣榖旦

This may be translated thus: 'The territory of our country has never been as large as during the Great Qing dynasty. The conquered territory is so large that it would be very difficult to measure it accurately. In addition, numerous envoys and officers from different countries travel a long way to declare themselves vassals and pay tribute to our emperor with the help of translators.
During the Ding Hai year (丁亥) of emperor Qianlong [1767] Huang Qianren (黃千人)from Yuyao (餘姚) drew a map [of the empire]. On this map, rivers, mountains, borders and cities are scattered all over and clearly presented. It is well worth reading. We can see the vast territory of our country in a flourishing age. It can be used as a scale to calculate distance. Nevertheless, at that time in Jinchuan [present day Sichuan province], Tibet and Xinjiang, cities were not yet established. Furthermore, some rivers and seaports are omitted from the map. On this re-engraved map, all these missing parts are made up conforming to the official books. It is definitely clearer and contains more details than the map of 1767.
On the whole map, within every one hundred square Li (1 Li, 1里 = 567 m), 省 (Sheng, provinces) are illustrated by the sign日, 府 (Fu, large cities) are shown by the sign 口, other administrative units : 廳 (Ting), 直隸州 (Zhi Li Zhou, cities directly under the provincial authority), 州 (Zhou, cities) 縣 (Xian, counties ), 關 (Guan, strategic passes), 營鎮 (Ying Zhen), 土司 (Tu Si, ethnic minority officials) are represented by different types of signs [rectangles, circles, triangles, etc.]. As for those remote and endless frontier areas, it would be difficult to calculate accurately in Li [distance unit], as well as for the islands on the sea due to unpredictable wind. Therefore, I just recorded their directions on the map. I drew these areas on the basis of the 1767 map without daring to make any change.
The 1767 map was engraved on a board. [Technically] it was difficult to reach high definition, but also it was not easy to carry it. Therefore, I engraved my map on a foldable panel. It seems that it would be more convenient for travellers to install the map in a bookcase. In case, later a knowledgeable and virtuous cartographer who understands my earnest heart and endeavor would be able to revise my map and improve it, to make it perfect, I would be more than happy.
Written on an auspicious day, Mid February (lunar calendar), Spring, 8th year of Jiaqing (Guihai year, 1803) of the Great Qing dynasty.'

KOREA
Long text on the north-western side of the preface about the description of Korea followed by the English translation of the text:  

朝鮮

古箕子國,漢置元菟、樂浪二郡,後隋入高麗,唐置安東都護府,自後歷代朝貢。

本朝封朝鮮國王,其地東西南瀕海,北抵長白山,東西二千里,南北四千里。由國城過鴨綠江至京師三千五百里。京畿道領郡三、府三、州七、縣三,江源道領郡七、府五、州四、縣十,黃梅(海)道領郡三、府三、州五、縣八,全羅道領郡三、府三、州四、縣二十三,慶尚道領郡七、府六、州五、縣十一,忠清道領郡四、州九、縣七,鹹鏡道領郡三、府五、州八,平安道領郡十一、府九、州十六、縣六。

Korea, a country established by Ji Zi in the ancient times; [Then] two Jun (Chinese: 郡), Yuantu and Yuelang, were set up in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 220 A.D.); [Then] it was included into Gaoli (Korea) in the Sui Dynasty (581-618); In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Andongduhu Fu (Chinese: 府) was set up; since then it gave tributes [to China as a sign of respect, submission, and allegiance] in the past dynasties.

This [Qing] dynasty grants the King of Korea a territory which borders on the sea on its east, west, and south, and reaches the Changbai Mountain on its north. It is 2,000 Li [1 Li = 576m] from east to west, and 4,000 Li from south to north. It is 3,500 Li away from its capital through the Yalu River to Beijing. Gyeonggi-do governs 3 Jun, 3 Fu, 7 Zhou [Chinese: 州], and 3 counties [xian縣]; Gangwon-do governs 7 Jun, 5 Fu, 4 Zhou, and 10 counties; Hwanghae-do governs 3 Jun, 3 Fu, 5 Zhou, and 8 counties; Jeolla-do governs 3 Jun, 3 Fu, 4 Zhou, and 23 counties; Gyeongsang-do governs 7 Jun, 6 Fu, 5 Zhou, and 11 counties; Chungcheong-do governs 4 Jun, 9 Zhou, and 7 counties; Hamgyeong-do governs 3 Jun, 5 Fu, and 8 Zhou; Pyeongan-do governs 11 Jun, 9 Fu, 16 Zhou, and 6 counties.

JAPAN
Description of Japan, 38 characters:

日本古倭奴國唐始改名其地直會稽之東貢道由寧波入分五畿七道三島附庸之國凡百餘島

Japan was called “倭奴國” (kingdom of the short people) in ancient times. This name has changed after the Tang Dynasty. This country is located on the east of Kuaiji [present Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province]. Their envoys originally entered from Ningbo (in Zhejiang Province) to pay us tribute. Japan is divided into five provinces (畿, Ji) and seven prefectures (道, Dao), as well as into three islands. Its vassal states extend to more than hundred islands.