Rare and historically important map of Ukraine and southwestern Russia

Description

This map of southern Ukraine and southwestern Russia by Hendrik de Leth shows the region during the Russo-Turkish War of 1735-1739 – one of no less than three such conflicts in the 18^th century alone.

The war was a conflict between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, fought primarily around the northern Black Sea and in the Caucasus. It formed part of the broader 18^th-century struggle for influence between the two powers and overlapped with parallel Austrian operations against the Ottomans.

The main causes included Russia’s desire to secure its southern frontier from Crimean Tatar raids, expand its access to the Black Sea, and weaken Ottoman control in the region. Early Russian campaigns captured key positions in Crimea and the Azov region, but operations were slowed by disease, supply deficiencies, and the logistical demands of projecting power across the steppe. Despite tactical successes, Russia faced high troop losses from epidemics and struggled to maintain extended supply lines, limiting the scale of its territorial gains.

The war ended with the Treaty of Niš (1739), in which Russia formally recovered Azov but agreed not to fortify it and gained only limited navigation rights in the Black Sea. Strategically, Russia secured modest improvements in frontier security but failed to achieve broader expansion due to military attrition, diplomatic pressure – especially after Austria exited the war on disadvantageous terms – and the need to stabilise its position. The results reflected both the increasing effectiveness of Russian field forces and the constraints imposed by geography, logistics, and shifting alliances.

Aside from pictorial depiction of relief, vegetation, and settlements, as well as provision of numerous placenames, the map shows fortifications, defence lines, military camps, and supply routes. Accompanying verbal information is provided in the form of annotations across the map as well as through a lettered key, contained in a cartouche at bottom right.

The snapshot the map provides indicates a critical phase in the conflict. It appears that Russia:

• has captured the Ottoman fortress of Azov (in June 1736);
• is progressing (between April and June 1737) towards the Ottoman fortress of Ochakiv (before taking it in July 1737); and
• is invading Crimea for the second (May-July 1737) or third time (May-July 1738).

These Russian advances were to be followed by ultimate retreat from Crimea and Ochakiv to Ukraine due to disease, starvation, and supply issues between 1737 and 1739. In the end, significantly more men died from these causes than did from fighting.

The title cartouche, shown at top right of the map and embellished with war-themed decoration, states that the map was “drawn up by order of the Empress of all the Russias”. In addition, the second cartouche notes that the map is “Engraved after the copy from St. Petersburg, drawn up by the Engineers of Her Majesty the Empress of Russia.” If said original map was prepared before 1740, then this would have been by order of Empress Anna of Russia or, if prepared in 1741 or later, then by Empress Elizabeth of Russia.

A scarce and informative map of this turbulent region.

Rarity

The map is seen infrequently on the market.

Condition

Very good.

Issued folding, now flattened. Wide margins. Coloured in outline. A few small spots and stains, mostly contained to blank margins. One light extra horizontal foldline. Light corner creases flattened. Short top and bottom centrefold splits, professionally repaired on verso.

Reference

Russo-Turkish War (1735–1739). (2025, November 2). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Turkish_War_(1735%E2%80%931739)

List of Russian monarchs. (2025, November 6). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Russian_monarchs

Item #: 02564

US $1,800.00

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