A chart of the China Seas showing the coasts of South East China and the offshore Islands between Formosa and the southern shores of Kyushu. The chart appeared in Dudley's important maritime Atlas "Del' Arcano del Mare" (The Secrets of the Sea) published in Florence in two editions of 1646 and 1661. The Atlas form an important milestone in being the first maritime Atlas by an Englishman (albeit and exile working under the patronage of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany) and the first produced on the Mercator projection. It is also one of few 17th Century charts to focus on this region showing in some detail the Islands of Formosa and the Ryukus from contemporary Portuguese and Dutch sources. The island groups "Tanaz" (Tanageshima Islands), and "Lequeio mggre" (Anami Islands) as well as the larg...[ Read more ]

A chart of the China Seas showing the coasts of South East China and the offshore Islands between Formosa and the southern shores of Kyushu. The chart appeared in Dudley's important maritime Atlas "Del' Arcano del Mare" (The Secrets of the Sea) published in Florence in two editions of 1646 and 1661. The Atlas form an important milestone in being the first maritime Atlas by an Englishman (albeit and exile working under the patronage of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany) and the first produced on the Mercator projection. It is also one of few 17th Century charts to focus on this region showing in some detail the Islands of Formosa and the Ryukus from contemporary Portuguese and Dutch sources. The island groups "Tanaz" (Tanageshima Islands), and "Lequeio mggre" (Anami Islands) as well as the larger Island of "Lequeo Minore" (Okinawa) are clearly differentiated but not very accurately depicted. On the other hand the depiction of Formosa ("I.Pakas o Formosa") betrays a detailed and comprehensive knowledge probably derived from Dutch sources who had had trading contacts on the Island since the early 17th Century.