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1744 Bowen Map of Indian and Southeast Asia (Malaya, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam)
IndiaSoutheastAsia-bowen-1744$237.50
Title
A new and accurate map of the Empire of the Great Mogul, together with India on both sides the Ganges, and the adjacent countries. Drawn from the most approved modern maps and charts: the whole being regulated by astronl. observations, by Eman: Bowen.
1744 (undated) 14 x 17 in (35.56 x 43.18 cm) 1 : 11000000
1744 (undated) 14 x 17 in (35.56 x 43.18 cm) 1 : 11000000
Description
A fine 1744 map of India and Southeast Asia by the English cartographer Emanuel Bowen. The map covers all of India and Southeast Asia including the modern day nations of India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Burma (Pegu), Thailand (Siam), Malaysia (Malacca), Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam (Tonquin and Coquinchina), and Laos. Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and parts of China are also included. The map extends south as far as Singapore and the Maldives. The map offers some offshore detail particularly in the vicinity of the Maldives and off the cost of South Vietnam. The island of Singapore is specifically identified. There are several interesting annotations in English that describe trade, natural resources, and regional culture. A note, for example, situated near Bombay, India, reads
Surat is the Staple for all the Merchandise of Europe, India and China having English, French and Dutch Factories.A decorative title cartouche in the upper right quadrant shows elephants being herded. This map was published as plate no 26 in the 1744 edition of A Complete System of Geography.
Cartographer
Emanuel Bowen (1694 - May 8, 1767) had the high distinction to be named Royal Mapmaker to both to King George II of England and Louis XV of France. Bowen was born in Talley, Carmarthen, Wales, to a distinguished but not noble family. He apprenticed to Charles Price, Merchant Taylor, from 1709. He was admitted to the Merchant Taylors Livery Company on October 3, 1716, but had been active in London from about 1714. A early as 1726 he was noted as one of the leading London engravers. Bowen is highly regarded for producing some of the largest, most detailed, most accurate and most attractive maps of his era. He is known to have worked with most British cartographic figures of the period including Herman Moll and John Owen. Among his multiple apprentices, the most notable were Thomas Kitchin, Thomas Jeffreys, and John Lodge. Another apprentice, John Oakman (1748 - 1793) who had an affair with and eventually married, Bowen's daughter. Other Bowen apprentices include Thomas Buss, John Pryer, Samuel Lyne, his son Thomas Bowen, and William Fowler. Despite achieving peer respect, renown, and royal patronage, Bowen, like many cartographers, died in poverty. Upon Emanuel Bowen's death, his cartographic work was taken over by his son, Thomas Bowen (1733 - 1790) who also died in poverty. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Bowen, E., A complete system of geography. Being a description of all the countries, islands, cities, chief towns, harbours, lakes, and rivers, mountains, mines, &c. of the known world …, 1744 edition.
A Complete System of Geography was published in London between 1844 and 1847. Comprising two volumes the work claims to be an updated and expanded versions of Herman Moll's Compleat Geographer. The two volume set contained roughly 71 maps in addition to extensive descriptive text. Most of the maps and text within were composed by Bowen and several, especially those of parts of Asia and America, are important. Some editions were published by William Innys and others by Bowen's son-in-law Thomas Kitchin.
Condition
Very good condition. Slight foxing. Original centerfold.
References
Rumsey 3733.042.