Cartographic Curiosities

The Silk Road extended approximately 6,437 kilometers (4,000 miles) across some of the world’s most formidable landscapes, including the Gobi Desert, the Pamir Mountains and traversed several of Uzbekistan’s major cities, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. The roads were typically in poor condition. Robbers were common. To protect themselves, traders joined together in caravans with camels or other pack animals. Over time, large inns called caravanserais cropped up to house travelling merchants.
One of the most famous travelers of the Silk Road was Marco Polo (1254 C.E. –1324 C.E.). Born into a family of wealthy merchants in Venice, Italy, Marco traveled with his father to China (then Cathay) when he was just 17 years of age.
It is hard to overstate the importance of the Silk Road on history. Religion and ideas spread along the Silk Road just as fluidly as goods. Towns along the route grew into multicultural cities.
The exchange of information gave rise to new technologies and innovations that would change the world.

Antique maps including the Silk Route region

The below antique maps are available for immediate sale, they are sold with a certificate of authenticity and published at the date indicated in the catalog description.