1747 Bowen Map of Savoy and Piedmont, Italy

This is a beautiful 1747 map of Savoy, Piedmont and Montserrat in northern Italy. It covers part of modern day France and Italy from Lake Geneva south as far as Nice and east as far as Milan. Several important towns and cities, including Nice, Milan, Turin, Genoa, Geneva, among others are noted throughout. It also identifies several rivers, mountains, lakes, roads and other topography. An inset of the draught of the city of Nice and town of Villa Franca with some part of the adjacent coast is featured near the left border. Another inset in the lower left quadrant features a plan of Coni, a strong fortified city situated on a hill between two rivers, which renders its approach on the east and west sides very difficult.

Coni or Cuneo, part of the Duchy of Savoy which later became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, was an important fortress that witnessed several attack by the French. The region of Piedmont is also famous for a variety of Italian wines. The Barola and Barbaresco wines and the sparkling wine Asti, all come from this region.

The map is color coded according to regions and territories and mountains are beautifully rendered in profile. A beautifully illustrated title cartouche is featured in the upper left quadrant of the map. This map was prepared by Emanuel Bowen as plate no. 21 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. Minor wear along original centerfold. Minor damp stains in top and bottom margin, not extending on to printed area. Original platemark visible. Blank on verso.

References

Rumsey 3733.020. Philips (atlases) 614 (1752 edition).