Delisle, Joseph-Nicolas.

First edition, folio (527 x 310mm.), Latin and French text, 20 engraved maps hand-coloured in outline, 19 double-page, the last folding, recent half calf over marbled boards, outer corners of the maps repaired, some splitting at centrefolds

Free Library of Philadelphia, perforated stamp on title and various inkstamps

Bagrow-Castner p.177–190 & collation p.243-4 (fig. 69: the geographical coverage); Phillips, Atlases 4060; Shirley, British Library T.DEL-2a, b and c

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."

The first complete printed atlas of Russia.

In 1726, Joseph-Nicolas Delisle, brother of Guillaume Delisle, was brought to Russia by Peter the Great, to assist in the survey of Russia, apparently with the approval of Ivan Kirilov, who was working to the same end. However, the two men disagreed with each other on the approach. Kirilov thought it best to get material published, and then worry about correcting errors. Delisle, however, wanted to carry out a completely new survey, and only then publish the maps. As a consequence, both men worked separately; the first part of Kirilov's atlas (see lot 54) was published in 1734, but the whole atlas was left unfinished on his untimely death, and afterwards suppressed by Delisle and the Academy of Sciences (Akademiya nauk), who purchased the plates, and then mothballed them.

Delisle's survey was painstaking, but also very slow, with the atlas announced in 1729 but finally published only in 1745. Although there are some gaps in the coverage, shown by Bagrow-Castner, Delisle's Atlas Russicus, as it is generally known, was the first printed atlas of the entirety of Russia, with a large general map, thirteen maps of European Russia and six of Siberia.

The atlas was a remarkable achievement, highly praised - and much copied - both within and without Russia, and set a new standard for European mapmaking.