‘It is to be regretted that Strahlenberg’s map has so far not been studied to any large extent. After Remezov, it is the second most important source of historical geographical information about Siberia. Yet it did not have a great influence on maps of the following period and, in a way, stands apart’ (Bagrow). Philipp Johann Strahlenberg (b.1676) was a Swedish born scholar and military cartographer who was taken prisoner at Poltava in 1709. He spent much of his time based in Tobolsk, the centre of Siberia. From as early as 1715 he began collecting data on a map of the region. In 1720 he explored much of Siberia with the German explorer and physician Daniel Gottliieb Messerschmidt. His work also combined with that of other contemporary Russian sources. On his return to Sweden he presented a copy of his map to Peter the Great. Shortly after in 1730 Strahlenberg published in Stockholm the very rare ‘Das Nort und Ostliche Theil von Europa und Asia’. To accompany it this fine map of the region was engraved in two sheets by P. J. Frisch in Berlin. It is often lacking from the book. This example appears to have come from a composite folio work of some kind and not from the book. One of the most important maps of the Russian Empire it is noted particularly for its accuracy of the country between the Lake Baykal and the Ob. Knowledge of the river system in the region is also greatly improved. This map is often found in poor condition, whilst this example is not perfect it is more than acceptable. Aberg, A. (1991) ‘Strahlenberg and other Swedish cartographers in the service of Peter the Great’; Bagrow-Castner, p.116-20 fig. 49.