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) was a Welsh cartographer, map engraver, and publisher active in London during the first half and middle of the 18th century. Born at Talley, Carmarthenshire, he was apprenticed in 1709 to the London engraver and globe-maker Charles Price, beginning a career that combined the compilation of geographical information with copperplate engraving for booksellers and map publishers. His early work included maps for an Atlas of the World issued in 1717, followed by Britannia Depicta; or, Ogilby Improv'd (1720), prepared with John Owen, which brought together reduced road-strip maps, county maps, and historical and heraldic information in a portable volume. In 1729, Bowen published a subscription-funded map of South Wales, substantially improving the region's cartographic representation; the map's geographical information subsequently informed his Welsh county maps. After working at several London addresses, he established workshops in Aldersgate, Smithfield, and Clerkenwell, producing maps extensively for other publishers rather than relying on a prominent retail shop. His international cartography included maps for A Complete System of Geography (1744 - 1747), the 1744-48 edition of Navigantium atque itinerantium bibliotheca, and A Complete Atlas (1752). He became geographer to George II around 1747. Among his apprentices were Thomas Kitchin (1719 - 1784), who married Bowen's daughter Sarah in 1739, and Thomas Jefferys (1719 - 1771), apprenticed in 1735. With Kitchin, Bowen produced the county maps issued between 1749 and 1760 that formed The Large English Atlas; their collaboration continued in The Royal English Atlas around 1763. His maps characteristically combined detailed geographical engraving and ornamental cartouches with extensive historical, economic, and topographical annotations. Despite his substantial output and royal appointment, Bowen died in reduced circumstances in 1767. His son and fellow engraver, Thomas Bowen (d. 1790), continued his cartographic work, including Atlas Anglicanus (1767 - 1768), which was completed and issued after Emanuel's death.   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).