1747 Bowen Map of Persia (Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan)

Highly decorative 18th century map of Persia.

This is a 1747 Emanuel Bowen map of Persia. An advanced map for the era, it depicts the region from Turkey (Anatolia) and Black Sea to Central Asia and the Indus River and from the Caucasus, the Caspian Sea, and Central Asia to the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and Arabia and comprises such modern-day countries of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Within Persia, provinces are illustrated, labeled, and shaded different colors to allow for easy differentiation. Myriad cities, towns, and villages are labeled throughout, including Mosul, Baghdad, Ispahan, Kandahar, and Kabul. Rivers are illustrated, including the Tigris and Euphrates, along with mountains throughout the entire map. To the west of Persia, part of the Turkish Empire is illustrated, complete with cities, roads, rivers, and mountains. The city of Palmyra is present, along with Mosul and Baghdad. A decorative title cartouche, featuring a scene of a traveling caravan, is situated in the lower left corner.

This map was created and published by Emanuel Bowen in 1747.

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...

Condition

Very good. Even overall toning. Blank on verso.

References

Alai E. 226. LOC G7620 1747 .B6. OCLC 55615897.