1744 Bowen Map of Indian and Southeast Asia (Malaya, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam)

Wonderful early map of South and Southeast Asia.

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) 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, &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.