1712 Wells Map of Asia Minor, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Iraq

A decorative map of Israel, Palestine and the Middle East.

This is an unusual 1712 map of the Middle East in antiquity by Edward Wells of Oxford. Covers from the Black Sea to the Persian Gulf and from Cyprus to the Caspian Sea. Includes the modern day countries of Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq. A decorative title cartouche appears in the lower right quadrant.

This, like many other Wells maps, is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and son of Queen Anne, who, when this map was being prepared, was a student at Oxford. Engraved by R. Spofforth and published by T. Bonwicke for the 1712 edition of Edward Wells' Atlas, A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography.

Cartographer

Edward Wells (1667 - 1727) was an English mathematician, geographer, and classical scholar based at Christ Church College, Oxford. Wells trained for the ministry but quickly found himself unsuited to religious life and instead applied for an academic position at Oxford, where he authored numerous well respected works on a wide range of mathematical and scientific topics. He tutored Prince William, the sickly son of Queen Anne, who was likely about 11 at the time this map was prepared. Wells dedicated nearly all of the maps in his atlas, A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography, to the young prince - quite possibly posthumously, as William died in July of 1700 shortly prior to the publication of the atlas. Nonetheless, Wells' geography proved popular and was published in number editions well into the 1730s.   Further Details...

Source

Wells, E., A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography, (London, T. w. Bonwicke) c. 1712.    

A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography was published by Edward Wells in various editions between 1701 and 1730. The publication contained some 40 maps all of which were dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester. Wells tutored the young prince at Christchurch, Oxford and seems to have developed a close relationship with him. At just 11 years of age, William died in 1700 and never had the opportunity to see the published work that he inspired. The atlas was intended for educational purposes with a focus on school use.

Condition

Very good. Some wear and toning along original centerfold. Damage to centerfold, repaired. Original platemark visible. Professionally flattened and backed with archival tissue. Minor foxing.

References

Laor, E., Map of the Holy Land: Cartobibliography of Printed Maps, 1475 - 1900, no. 833.