The old and new state of Russia, as the title suggests, points to the modernisation of the Russian Empire under Tsar Peter the Great The map of Russia and Tartary by the German cartographer and astronomer Johann Matthias Hase (Hasius) is based on the first map of the entire Russian Empire, by the Russian cartographer Ivan K. Kirilov, but adds new material. Hase's maps, including the large map of the entire Russian Empire, incorporate new discoveries from the Danish explorer Martin Spanberg's two expeditions to Kamchatka (1738 and 1739) with Bering en Tsjirikov, in search of a sea route to Japan, an expedition supported by Peter the Great himself. Homan's heirs in Nürnberg published Hase's map of the Empire separately in 1739, but it appears here printed from a new plate and dated 1743. Hase adds Spitsbergen to Kirilov's map and gives more (though not very accurate) details of Novaya Zemlya. Kirilov also left adjoining parts of the Ottoman Empire and other areas outside the Russian Empire largely blank, while the present map includes their cartographic details.
With the name of Pieter Smak in ink on the first free end leaf of the first and fourth volumes. With the paper very slightly browned and an occasional spot or small marginal tear, but otherwise internally in very good condition and wholly untrimmed, with all deckles intact. The sewing of quires 5E and 5F has come loose at the lowest station, the spines show some wear and the boards are somewhat rubbed. Bagrow 1975, pp. 177-195; Van Gestel-Van het Schip 223 & maps 11:006, 14:006, 22:006, 33:013.