1827 Finley Map of Greece

This is a beautiful example of Finley's important 1827 map of Greece. Depicts from Macedonia to Greece and includes many of the Greek Islands. Shows cities, river ways, roads, monasteries, and some topographical features. Offers color coding at the regional level. As this map was being drawn, the Greek people were in the midst of a bloody war for independence against their Ottoman Turkish overlords. With the help their European allies in Russia, United Kingdom, and France, the Greek revolutionaries finally threw off the Ottoman yolk in 1832. Engraved by Young and Delleker for the 1827 edition of Anthony Finley's General Atlas.

Cartographer

Anthony Finley (August 25, 1784 - June 9, 1836) was an American book and map publisher based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Finley was born in Philadelphia in 1784. He opened a bookshop and publishing house at the Northeast corner of Fourth and Chestnut Street, Philadelphia in 1809. His earliest known catalog, listing botanical, medical and other scientific works, appeared in 1811. His first maps, engraved for Daniel Edward Clarke’s Travels in Various Countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa also appear in 1811. His first atlas, the Atlas Classica, was published in 1818. He soon thereafter published the more significant A New American Atlas and the New General Atlas…, both going through several editions from 1824 to 1834. Although most of Finley's cartographic material was borrowed from European sources, his atlases were much admired and favorably reviewed. In addition to his work as a printer, Finley ran unsuccessfully on the 1818 Democratic ticket for Philadelphia Common Council. He was a founding officer of the Philadelphia Apprentices’ Library, and a member of both the American Sunday-School Union and the Franklin Institute. He was also an ardent supporter of the American Colonization Society, an organization dedication to returning free people of color to Africa - which led to the founding of Liberia. Much of his wealth was dedicated to supporting this cause. Finley was active as a publisher until his 1836 death, apparently of a 'lingering illness.' Shortly thereafter advertisements began appearing for his map business and plates, most of which were acquired by Samuel Augustus Mitchell.   Further Details...

Source

Finley, A., A New General Atlas, Comprising a Complete Set of Maps, representing the Grand Divisions of the Globe, Together with the several Empires, Kingdoms and States in the World; Compiled from the Best Authorities, and corrected by the Most Recent Discoveries, Philadelphia, 1827.    

Condition

Very good. Original platemark visible. Blank on verso. Minor overall toning.

References

Rumsey 0285.050 (1831 edition). Phillips (Atlases) 4314, 760, 752, 6045.