Copper engraving, 460x590 mm, hand-painted. This is the first European map of Tibet, dated 1733 but taken from the Nouvel atlas de la Chine, de la Tartarie chinoise, et du Thibet published in Den Hague by H. Scheurleer in 1737. The map is an absolute cartographic novelty and describes Tibet for the first time in great detail. Much of the interior is entitled 'Gobi ou Desert De Sable' and several rivers are shown 'lost' in the sands. Numerous place names are given to the mountainous territory surrounding the desert. A portrait bust of the Dalai Lama is featured in the cartouche, which also depicts a monk and incense burners. Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville (1697-1782) was one of France's leading geographers and compiled over 200 maps. This map is taken from his most important work, Nouvel Atlas de la Chine, published in The Hague in 1737. D'Anville's atlas was the leading cartographic authority on China during the 18th century. D'Anville used maps prepared by Jesuit missionaries and commissioned by Emperor Kanyx, who ordered a survey of the country in 1708-1716. This map is the first accurate cartographic representation of Tibet available in the western world. To create his maps, he conducted rigorous research, which greatly developed the technical competence of cartography during his lifetime. His style was also simpler and less ornate than that of many of his predecessors. It was widely adopted by