China - Gorgeous hand colored map of China published in 1818.

John Pinkerton

Publication Date: 1818

About this Item

"This skillfully engraved map of China covers east Asia between Tibet and Korea, and as far north as Mongolia. 'Tai-Ouan,' or Formosa Island, and the northern tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines are also included within the image. Relief is depicted in hachure, and place names and geographic features are identified with the aid of a legend in the lower left. A few scattered annotations relate primarily to defensive capabilities, such as the location of the Great Wall, local troop strengths in the north, and "a barrier of wooden pikes dividing the province of Quantong or Leotong with Tartary." At the time of publication, all European trade was filtered through the port city of Canton, which is prominently labeled along the southern coast. Hong Kong Island is shown, but would not be labeled as such on maps until after it was occupied officially by the British in 1841. The map was originally designed by Scottish cartographer John Pinkerton. As part of the Edinburgh School of Cartography (which included the likes of John Cary and John Thomson), Pinkerton was responsible for creating some of the most highly detailed and precise atlas maps of the early 19th century. Today, his maps are prized for their size, color, and wealth of information. This particular example was included in the American edition of Pinkerton's Modern Atlas, published in Philadelphia by Thomas Dobson in 1818." Sheet Width (in) 22.3 Sheet Height (in) 32.75 Condition Description Minor discoloration along the horizontal centerfold and several areas of faint spotting throughout the image. A few spots in the margins, but remains in very good condition overall. Original hand color. Seller Inventory # 2013

Bibliographic Details

Title: China - Gorgeous hand colored map of China ...

Publication Date: 1818

Condition: Very Good