Map Of Egypt – Sifton Praed & Co Ltd

Publisher: General Staff & Sifton Praed & Co Ltd
Price: £150
Publication Date: June 1917
Edition: Reprinted with additions
Format: Original lithograph
Scale: 1:2000000 1 inch to 32 miles
Condition: In very good plus condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 66cm x 61.6cm when opened

Condition:

Map code: T.S.,G.S.,No.1792. Reprint dated 1917 with additions of the map produced in February 1905 which was lithographed at the Topographical Section. Dissected on linen on 24 folds. Topographical map of Egypt, with relief shown by shading and spot heights. Scale 1:2,000,000. Shows the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Nile River, towns and villages, roads and tracks, salt lakes, canals, oases, and terrain features. Includes inset maps of Cairo on a scale of 1:150000 and Alexandria on a scale of 1:250000. Slight wear along original folds. Very minor age-toning, marks and dustiness but overall in very good plus condition. Scarce.

Sifton Praed And The Topographical Section: A Brief Description:

Sifton Praed & Co. Ltd. was particularly known for its work in topographical maps and military mapping, with a focus on detailed cartography for use in British military operations.

Topographical Section and British Military Maps by Sifton Praed

Topographical maps are essential for military operations because they provide detailed information on the terrain, including elevation, slopes, rivers, mountains, and other natural features. For British military efforts, especially during the early 20th century, Sifton Praed produced maps that would have been used for planning and executing operations in regions like Egypt and other areas where Britain had military interests.

The Topographical Section of British military cartography, which Sifton Praed would have worked with or supplied, focused on:

1. Elevation and Contours: Key for understanding the lay of the land, these maps depicted height differences, which were critical in strategic military planning, allowing commanders to determine the best routes for moving troops and equipment.
2. Hydrology: Rivers, lakes, and water sources were clearly marked, as control of water was often a key objective in military campaigns, particularly in arid regions like Egypt.
3. Transportation and Infrastructure: Roads, railways, and other man-made features were carefully charted to plan troop movements and supply lines, especially around strategic locations like the Suez Canal.
4. Fortifications and Military Installations: These maps would mark key defensive structures, outposts, or strongholds, often used to plan assaults or fortify positions.
5. Landmarks and Settlements: Cities, towns, and smaller settlements would be featured to give military personnel a clear understanding of population centres, crucial for both occupation and intelligence gathering.

Egypt and the Suez Canal

Sifton Praed’s involvement in mapping Egypt, and particularly regions surrounding the Suez Canal, would have been of enormous strategic importance to the British military. The canal was vital to maintaining control of maritime routes, and maps would need to show not only the canal itself but also the surrounding desert terrain, supply routes, and key locations for defending this critical waterway.

Topographical military maps of Egypt, especially during World War I and World War II, were used for:

• North African Campaigns: The desert terrain required detailed knowledge of the landscape to manoeuvre large armies across vast, open spaces.
• Defence of the Suez Canal: Accurate topographical maps allowed the British to plan defences and counterattacks in case of Axis attempts to seize control.

Role in Military Education and Strategy

Sifton Praed’s maps would have been used not only in active military campaigns but also in military education, helping officers learn terrain analysis and tactical decision-making based on topographical data.

Legacy of Sifton Praed’s Military Maps

Today, Sifton Praed’s topographical military maps are valuable historical documents, often found in archives and collections of military history. They serve as a record of how terrain impacted military strategy and operations during critical periods of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Sifton Praed & Co Ltd: A Short History

Sifton Praed & Co. Ltd. has an intriguing history, deeply rooted in the world of British cartography and publishing, with its prominence tied closely to the period of imperial exploration and military activity in the early 20th century.

Founding and Early Years

Sifton Praed & Co. was founded as a small firm in the late 19th century, with its earliest records indicating activity around the 1880s. The founders were involved in the publishing of maps and geographical surveys, providing resources for military and colonial enterprises at a time when the British Empire’s interests were expanding globally. Although relatively modest in its beginnings, the company steadily gained a reputation for producing high-quality, accurate maps, which were in increasing demand.

Transition to a Limited Company

On 3 March 1915, Sifton Praed officially became a limited company, a move likely driven by the increased demand for detailed maps during the early stages of World War I. The limited company structure enabled it to expand its operations and take on larger contracts, particularly with the British military. The war created an unprecedented need for up-to-date, precise maps, both for domestic defence purposes and overseas campaigns. Sifton Praed’s maps were crucial for military logistics, strategy, and navigation, cementing the company’s importance in British cartography.

World War I Contributions

During World War I, Sifton Praed & Co. became a significant player in the production of military maps, collaborating with government bodies and the War Office. The need for accurate maps of various theatres of war, particularly in Europe and Africa, led to a boom in the company’s output. Sifton Praed developed maps that were used in critical campaigns, including the Western Front. These maps needed to reflect constantly changing battle lines and topographical details, requiring frequent updates and reprints.

Interwar Period and Expansion

Following the war, the company continued to expand its operations, benefiting from its military contracts. During the 1920s and 1930s, Sifton Praed shifted focus somewhat, producing not just military maps but also general geographical, geological, and exploration maps. Their maps became valuable for both commercial use and the British colonial administration, especially in Africa and Asia, where detailed surveys were required for resource extraction, railways, and administration.

The company also began publishing more specialised maps, including aeronautical charts, which became increasingly important with the development of civil aviation during this period. As air travel grew in popularity, Sifton Praed found a new niche market, producing highly detailed maps that pilots relied upon.

World War II and Post-War Activity

During World War II, Sifton Praed once again became heavily involved in the production of military maps. This period saw the company’s capabilities pushed to their limits, as the demands for precision and rapid production were even higher than during World War I. The War Office and other government entities turned to Sifton Praed for maps that covered both European theatres of war and campaigns in the Far East, North Africa, and the Pacific. The company’s expertise in geodetic mapping was particularly valuable for operations requiring detailed terrain analysis.

After the war, Sifton Praed faced a changing world. The decolonisation of the British Empire in the post-war period reduced the need for many of the company’s traditional mapping services, as newly independent nations developed their own mapping infrastructures. However, Sifton Praed remained active by shifting to more civilian markets, including producing maps for schools, universities, and businesses, as well as continuing its military work on a smaller scale.

Later Years and Legacy

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Sifton Praed & Co. maintained a smaller but still respected presence in the field of cartography. The development of digital mapping technologies in the 1980s and 1990s gradually diminished the need for traditional map printing services. However, the company adapted by shifting some of its focus towards archival services, reproductions, and limited edition maps for collectors and academic institutions.

While the firm eventually ceased operations, its contributions to British cartography and military history remain highly regarded. Collectors of historical military memorabilia and map enthusiasts continue to seek out Sifton Praed maps, especially those produced during the World Wars, for their historical significance and detail.

Significance in British Cartography

Sifton Praed & Co. Ltd. played an essential role in British cartography, particularly in the context of military mapping. Its detailed and accurate maps were crucial for the British Army’s operations in multiple conflicts and were instrumental in British imperial administration. The company’s work laid foundations for modern cartography in many parts of the world, particularly in former British colonies, where their maps were used as reference points for decades.

Conclusion

Sifton Praed & Co. Ltd.’s journey from a modest cartography firm to a pivotal player in British military history showcases the importance of mapping in global exploration, warfare, and administration. Despite the decline of traditional mapmaking due to modern technologies, the company’s legacy endures through the maps it produced, many of which are now valued as historical artefacts. The firm’s history is a reminder of how critical cartography was in shaping 19th and 20th-century global events.

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