1856 Marzolla Map of Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay

Foregrounding the Newly Recognized United Provinces.

This is an 1856 Benedetto Marzolla map focusing on the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata: this included much of Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as well as parts of Brazil and Bolivia. The map is characteristic of Marzolla's work in its abundant notation.

A Closer Look

This map is a richly-annotated Italian translation of John Arrowsmith's 1842 The Provinces of La Plata, The Banda Oriental Del Uruguay and Chile. The Arrowsmith map was based on the report of Sir Woodbine Parish (1796-1882,) the British Chargé d'affaires in Buenos Aires. Parish was instrumental in the international recognition of the United Provinces, having signed British treaties with the new nation at its 1825 birth. As such, Arrowsmith cartography was considered the most detailed available. The map is cartographically faithful to Arrowsmith, but adds descriptive text both in the body of the map as well as in a large text at the bottom.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by Benedetto Marzolla in 1850 for publication in his 1856 Atlante Geografico. We note an example of the complete atlas in the David Rumsey Map Collection. The separate map is not cataloged in OCLC.

Cartographers

Benedetto Marzolla (March 14, 1801 - May 10, 1858) was an Italian cartographer and geographer. Born in Brindisi, Italy, Marzolla attended local schools before moving to Naples in 1819 to study military engineering. He became a military officer under the Bourbon regime and quickly became recognized for his skill in cartography. He joined the Royal Topographical Office in 1821 as a first lieutenant and worked in that agency in one way or another until his untimely death from apoplexy. Over the course of his career, Marzolla created over 170 maps, including topographic, geographic, and chorographic works.   Further Details...

Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823), John Arrowsmith (1790-1873), and Samuel Arrowsmith. The Arrowsmith family were noted map engravers, publishers, geographers, and cartographers active in the late 18th and early 19th century. The Arrowsmith firm was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith, who was trained in surveying and engraving under John Cary and William Faden. Arrowsmith founded the Arrowsmith firm as a side business while employed by Cary. The firm specialized in large format individual issue maps containing the most up to date and sophisticated information available. Arrowsmith's work drew the attention of the Prince of Wales who, in 1810, named him Hydrographer to the Prince of Wales, and subsequently, in 1820, Hydrographer to the King. Aaron Arrowsmith was succeeded by two sons, Aaron and Samuel, who followed him in the map publication business. The Arrowsmith firm eventually fell to John Arrowsmith (1790-1873), nephew of the elder Aaron. John was a founding member of the Royal Geographical Society. The firm is best known for their phenomenal large format mappings of North America. Mount Arrowsmith, situated east of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is named for Aaron Arrowsmith and his nephew John Arrowsmith.   Further Details...

Source

Marzolla, B., Atlante Geografico (Naples) 1856.    

Condition

Very good. Marginal mend to right outside image, else excellent.

References

Rumsey 4714.044.