1747 Bowen Map of Northeastern Germany (Saxony, Brandenburg)

This is a beautiful 1747 map of the northeastern part of Germany by the British cartographer Emanuel Bowen. It includes the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg and the duchy of Mecklenburg, Pomerania and Silesia. Centered on Berlin, the map covers parts of the modern day countries of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic from the Baltic Sea south as far as Olmutz (Olomouc) and from Hamburg in the west to Dantzick (Gdansk) in the east. Major cities including Berlin, Prague, Hamburg, Hannover, Olmutz (Olomouc) and others are identified. Rivers, roads, lakes and other topography is also noted throughout, with mountains and forests rendered in profile. The lower half of the map includes an inset of the city of Breslaw (Wroclaw), the historic capital of Silesia. This inset map is highly detailed and notes the Oder River, streets, individual buildings and includes a reference key along the right border.

The title of the map makes reference to the ceding of Silesia to the Kingdom of Prussia by the Treaty of Breslau. Signed by the representatives of Maria Theresa of Austria and King Frederick of Prussia the Treaty officially ended the First Silesian War of 1740-1742. Maria Theresa ceded most of Silesia to Prussia, and a large part of the border demarcations made in 1742 still exists as the borders between the Czech Republic and Poland.

The map includes a beautifully illustrated title cartouche along the right border. This map was prepared by Emanuel Bowen as plate no. 18 for the 1747 issue 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.   Further Details...

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, etc., of the known world …, (London) 1747.    

Condition

Very good. Blank on verso. Original platemark visible.

References

Rumsey 3733.017. Philips (atlases) 614 (1752 edition).