ASIA – PLATE 4 – INCLUDING THE TURKISH DOMINIONS WITH MOST OF PERSIA REVISED AND EXAMINED BY MR BOLTON – ASIA – PLATE 5 – PART OF INDIA PERSIA TIBET AND TARTARY EXAMINED AND RECTIFIED BY MR BOLTON

Cartographer: Jean Baptiste Bourguignon D’Anville, Richard William Searle & Solomon Bolton
Publisher: Not stated
Price: £100 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: 
Edition: 1st edition
Format: Copper engraving
Condition: In good only condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 81.4cm x 42.6cm

Condition:

Two maps joined together. Original fold lines. Age toning to the paper and minor surface wear and creasing. Nicks, chips, rubs and minor short closed tears to the margins. Archive repairs to the reverse. In good only condition overall.

Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder M2000 002569

Solomon Bolton and Malachy Postlethwayt: A Brief Description

In the mid-18th century, Solomon Bolton, an accomplished engraver, collaborated with Malachy Postlethwayt, a noted economist and writer, to produce detailed cartographic works depicting Asia. These maps were part of Postlethwayt’s broader project to compile a comprehensive commercial and geographical dictionary, which aimed to provide readers with an understanding of global trade networks and geographic intricacies.

Context of the Collaboration

Postlethwayt’s work focused on economic and geopolitical insights, reflecting the burgeoning global trade networks of the 18th century, in which Asia played a central role. Bolton, as an engraver, brought these ideas to life through precise and artistic cartographic representations.

Their collaboration came at a time when European powers were expanding their influence in Asia, driven by the lucrative trade in spices, textiles, and other commodities. The maps served as both practical tools for merchants and navigators and as scholarly resources for those studying the complexities of Asia’s geography and trade dynamics.

Features of the Map of Asia

1. Geographical Precision
   • The entire map captured the vast expanse of Asia, stretching from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, and from the Arctic in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south.
   • It delineated major regions, including the Ottoman Empire, Persia, India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, with an emphasis on their boundaries and trade connections.
2. Trade Routes and Economic Hubs
   • The map highlighted key trade routes, particularly maritime routes across the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, which were crucial for the movement of goods like spices, silks, and precious metals.
   • Major ports, such as Calcutta, Canton, and Batavia, were prominently marked, underscoring their significance in global commerce.
3. Cultural and Political Details
   • The map included notes on regional characteristics, such as important cities, natural resources, and political divisions, reflecting Postlethwayt’s economic focus.
   • It depicted major empires, including the Mughal Empire, the Qing Dynasty, and the Ottoman Empire, alongside smaller kingdoms and principalities.
4. Artistic Flourish
   • Bolton’s engraving work added a layer of artistry to the map, with intricate decorative elements such as cartouches, compass roses, and detailed illustrations of ships and sea monsters, reflecting the style of the time.

Importance and Legacy

1. Economic Insights
   • The map complemented Postlethwayt’s economic writings, providing a visual representation of Asia’s role in global trade. It illustrated the interconnectedness of regions and the economic dependencies created by colonial enterprises.
2. Educational Value
   • The map served as a key resource for European merchants, scholars, and policymakers seeking to understand the geography of Asia and its trade systems.
3. Cultural Representation
   • While the map primarily served European interests, it captured the complexity of Asia’s geography and trade, contributing to a broader understanding of the continent during an era of colonial expansion.

The collaboration between Solomon Bolton and Malachy Postlethwayt remains a testament to the fusion of cartographic artistry and economic scholarship in the 18th century. Their map of Asia not only informed European audiences about the region’s geography and trade but also reflected the era’s fascination with exploration and globalisation.

Jean Baptiste Bourguinon D’Anville: A Brief Description

Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville (1697–1782): A Detailed Biography

Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville was a distinguished French geographer and cartographer whose meticulous work significantly advanced the standards of map-making in the 18th century. Born on 11 July 1697 in Paris, he exhibited an early passion for geography, creating maps to accompany Latin texts by the age of twelve. This early interest was nurtured through his association with the antiquarian Abbé Longuerue, who influenced his scholarly pursuits.

At fifteen, d’Anville published his first serious map, focusing on Ancient Greece. His dedication to the field earned him the position of geographer to King Louis XV at twenty-two, marking the beginning of a prolific career. D’Anville was renowned for his rigorous approach to cartography, emphasising the critical evaluation of sources and the exclusion of speculative information. Unlike many contemporaries who filled unknown areas with conjectural details, d’Anville left such regions blank, reflecting his commitment to accuracy.

His contributions include over 200 maps, many accompanied by comprehensive memoirs detailing his methodologies and sources. Notable works encompass maps of Italy, Africa, and Asia, with his “Nouvel Atlas de la Chine” (1737) being particularly significant. This atlas, based on surveys conducted by Jesuit missionaries, provided one of the most detailed Western representations of China at the time.

D’Anville’s expertise extended to ancient geography, where he produced maps that corrected longstanding inaccuracies. His “Atlas Antiquus Major” and “Mémoire et abrégé de géographie ancienne et générale” are exemplary in this regard. His scholarly excellence was recognised by his election to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres in 1754 and the Académie des Sciences in 1773. He also held memberships in the Society of Antiquaries of London and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In his later years, d’Anville focused on organising his extensive collection of maps and geographical materials, considered one of the most comprehensive in Europe. This collection was acquired by the king but remained in d’Anville’s use until his death on 28 January 1782 in Paris. His legacy endures through his contributions to cartography, which laid the groundwork for modern geographical studies. His insistence on empirical evidence and critical analysis set new standards in the discipline, influencing generations of geographers and explorers.

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