Lot 228

A JOHN SPEED 17TH CENTURY MAP OF THE KINGDOME OF CHINA

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A JOHN SPEED 17TH CENTURY MAP OF THE KINGDOME OF CHINA

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

Current Bid: $700

(6 Bids)

by Soulis Auctions
June 27, 2026 11:30 AM CDT
Live Auction
529 West Lone Jack-Lee’s Summit Rd
Lone Jack, MO, US 64070

John Speed (1552-1629)

THE KINGDOME OF CHINA newly augmented by I.S. 1626

The beautifully hand-colored 17th-century copperplate engraving of The Kingdome of China by the English cartographer John Speed was originally engraved in 1626 and published in Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World (1627). This represents the first map of China generated for an English atlas. The map features decorative borders showcasing costume portraits of Chinese, Burmese, and Japanese figures-including one of the earliest Western depictions of a Japanese samurai. The upper margin is adorned with early panoramas of Macao and Hangzhou alongside historic narrative vignettes. Korea is rendered entirely as an island. Printed text verso.

Sheet measures 16.5 x 21.5 with a framed size of 22 x 27 inches.

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  • Provenance: The estate of John Adair Jr. (1942-2025), founder and proprietor of Kurofune Antiques in Tokyo (est. 1978), a world-renowned destination for Japanese basketry, prints and furniture featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal.
  • Dimensions: Sheet measures 16.5 x 21.5 with a framed size of 22 x 27 inches.
  • Medium: Woodblock
  • Condition: Very good condition, not laid down or backed, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Other, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

SHIPPING: After verifying that payment has been made and or all funds have cleared, Dirk Soulis Antiques LLC DBA Soulis Auctions will, as a courtesy to the client, undertake the packing and shipping of most purchases. Large items, Furniture, International Shipments and items deemed excessively fragile by Soulis Auctions may require special handling by a third party. Soulis Auctions will coordinate with the buyer's chosen shipper in these instances and will endeavor to provide as much assistance as possible. The cost for shipping handled in-house starts at $16 per box and or the actual cost of wood crate construction, in addition to the cost of insurance and postage or carrier charges. The cost of crates range by size; the majority fall into the range of $50 to $150.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $99,999 $2,000
$100,000 + $10,000