1747 Bowen Map of Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark)

Includes the Lofoten Maelstrom!

This is a fascinating 1747 map of Scandinavia by the British cartographer Emanuel Bowen. It covers Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland (shown as part of Sweden) and parts of the Russian Empire. The map notes several towns, cities, rivers, lakes, islands, roads and a host of additional topographic features. Mountains are beautifully rendered in profile.

The Lofoten Maelstrom

Of particular interest is cartographer's depiction of the legendary Lofoten Maelstrom (Maalstrom) in northwestern Norway. This legendary whirlpool was the inspiration for Edgar Allen Poe's classic short story Descent into the Maelstrom. In reality, it is a periodic and powerful current caused by tidal variations in the region.

A large inset in the top of the map proper includes a map of Iceland, Spitzbergen (Svalbard) and parts of Greenland. When this map was issued, the coasts of Greenland were fairly well mapped out by Icelandic and Scandinavian whalers, but here, due to turbulent waters, is remains vague.

The map identifies Cape Hold-with-Hope or Kap Broer Ruys and the rest of Greenland's east coast is noted as 'Ice and mountains covered with snow'. Iceland had been fairly well mapped since the late 16th century and this map illustrates its four primary provinces.

A title cartouche with beautifully illustrated hunters is included in the lower right quadrant. The coat of arms of Norway, Denmark and Sweden are also included above the title. This map was prepared by Emanuel Bowen as plate no. 25 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. Original platemark visible. Blank on verso. A few minor verso repairs and reinforcements to margins.

References

Rumsey 3733.024. Philips (atlases) 614 (1752 edition).