Map of the Russian Empire: An Original 18th Century Hand-colored Map by E. Bowen
This is an original 18th century hand-colored map entitled "A New & Accurate Map of The Whole Russian Empire, As Contain'd Both In Europe and Asia, Drawn from Authentic Journals, Surveys and Most Improved Modern Maps and Regulated by Astronomical Observations" by Emanuel Bowen. It was published in 1744 in London in John Harris's "Navigantium atque Itinerantium Bibliotheca" or "A Complete Collection of Voyages and Travels". This highly detailed and colorful map depicts the Russian Empire, as it was known in the mid 18th century. The map extends from the Northern Ocean (Arctic Ocean) in the north to parts of Tibet and China in the south, Sweden and the Caspian Sea in the west and China, Korea and the Eastern Ocean (Pacific Ocean) in the east. The Arctic Circle is present in the upper map
Creator: Emanuel Bowen (1694 - 1767, British)
Creation Year: 1744
Dimensions: Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)
Width: 19.88 in (50.5 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
This is an original 18th century hand-colored map entitled "A New & Accurate Map of The Whole Russian Empire, As Contain'd Both In Europe and Asia, Drawn from Authentic Journals, Surveys and Most Improved Modern Maps and Regulated by Astronomical Observations" by Emanuel Bowen. It was published in 1744 in London in John Harris's "Navigantium atque Itinerantium Bibliotheca" or "A Complete Collection of Voyages and Travels". This highly detailed and colorful map depicts the Russian Empire, as it was known in the mid 18th century. The map extends from the Northern Ocean (Arctic Ocean) in the north to parts of Tibet and China in the south, Sweden and the Caspian Sea in the west and China, Korea and the Eastern Ocean (Pacific Ocean) in the east. The Arctic Circle is present in the upper map
Creator: Emanuel Bowen (1694 - 1767, British)
Creation Year: 1744
Dimensions: Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)
Width: 19.88 in (50.5 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
This is an original 18th century hand-colored map entitled "A New & Accurate Map of The Whole Russian Empire, As Contain'd Both In Europe and Asia, Drawn from Authentic Journals, Surveys and Most Improved Modern Maps and Regulated by Astronomical Observations" by Emanuel Bowen. It was published in 1744 in London in John Harris's "Navigantium atque Itinerantium Bibliotheca" or "A Complete Collection of Voyages and Travels". This highly detailed and colorful map depicts the Russian Empire, as it was known in the mid 18th century. The map extends from the Northern Ocean (Arctic Ocean) in the north to parts of Tibet and China in the south, Sweden and the Caspian Sea in the west and China, Korea and the Eastern Ocean (Pacific Ocean) in the east. The Arctic Circle is present in the upper map
Creator: Emanuel Bowen (1694 - 1767, British)
Creation Year: 1744
Dimensions: Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)
Width: 19.88 in (50.5 cm)
Medium: Engraving
Condition: See description below.
The map is embellished by a decorative title cartouche in the lower left and an adjacent Compass Rose and a distance scale in miles.
This striking and beautifully hand-colored original 18th century map is printed on laid chain-linked paper with wide margin. The sheet measures 15.75" high and 19.88" wide. There is a vertical center fold, as issued. There is a tiny spot in the upper margin on the right and another in the lower margin on the right, as well as two dark spots in the left margin, which may represent paint. The map is otherwise in excellent condition.
Emanuel Bowen (1694-1767) was a prominent British engraver and cartographer. He was born in Wales and worked in London as a mapmaker and engraver for much of his career. Bowen was honored as a fellow of the Royal Society and as the Royal Mapmaker to both to King George II of England and Louis XV of France. Based in London, Bowen was highly regarded for producing some of the largest, most detailed, most accurate and most attractive maps of his era. He is known to have worked with some of the most prominent cartographic names of the period including Herman Moll, John Owen, and Thomas Kitchin. Bowen was known for his skill in combining information from various sources to create comprehensive and useful maps. Bowen produced a wide range of maps, including maps of the British Isles, Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. He also created maps for several important atlases, including the "Complete Atlas" (1752) and "A Complete System of Geography" (1747). Despite his renown and success, Bowen, like many cartographers, died in poverty. Upon Emanuel Bowen's death, his cartographic work was taken over by his son, Thomas Bowen who also died in poverty. Bowen's legacy as one of the most influential cartographers of the 18th century lives on through his many important maps and atlases.
