The Balkans Map (11 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. A large folding coloured map, approx. 26 x 22", laid down and sectionalised on linen, text summarising the Treaty of Berlin to lower right corner, folding into original cloth boards with lettering piece, VG. The 1878 Treaty of Berlin, made in the wake of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-8, recognised the independence of the principalities of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, which are shown on this map, as well as Bulgaria, Rumelia (Rumili) and Macedonia.…

Very good. Minor foxing at places. Blank on verso. Size 10 x 8 Inches. This is a beautiful example of Thomas Ewing's 1845 map of the European parts of Turkey. Centered on the Aegean Sea, this map covers from Moldavia to Thessaly and from the Adriatic to the Black Sea. Drawn when the Ottoman Empire controlled much of the region, it covers what is today Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Moldova. Throughout, the map identifies various cities, towns, rivers, mountain passes and an assortment of additional topographical details. This map depicts the waning years of Ottoman hegemony in the region. The Greek Independence movement attained sovereignty for the Peloponnese in 1821. The other Grecian and Balkan states, including Serbia, Croatia, Moldavia, Wallachia, Albania, and Macedonia, remained at least nominally under Ottoman control until 1878. This map was published in 1845 by Oliver and Boyd as part of Ewing's New General Atlas .…

1st Edition. Very good condition. Blank on verso. Size 13.5 x 16 Inches. An excellent 1855 first edition example of Colton's map of European Turkey. Like most of Colton's Europe maps, this map was derived from an earlier wall map of the world produced by Colton and D. Griffing Johnson. This map, made when the Ottoman empire controlled much of the region, covers what are today parts of Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Moldova. An inset map in the lower left quadrant details the Bosporus and Istanbul (Constantinople). Another inset map, in the lower right, focuses on the island of Candia or Crete. This map depicts the waning years of Ottoman hegemony in the region, with the Greek Independence movement achieving Peloponnesian sovereignty in 1821. The Ionian Republic, under the protection of Great Britain, was also free of Ottoman control. The other Grecian and Balkan states, including Serbia, Croatia, Moldavia, Wallachia, Albania, and Macedonia, remained at least nominally under Ottoman control until 1878. This map also identifies various cities, towns, rivers, rapids, mountain passes, and an assortment of additional topographical details. Map is hand colored in pink, green, yellow and blue pastels to define national and regional boundaries. Surrounded by Colton's typical spiral motif border. Dated and copyrighted to J. H. Colton, 1855. Published from Colton's 172 William Street Office in New York City. Issued as page no. 22 in volume 2 of Colton's 1856 Atlas of the World. References: Rumsey 0149.089 (1856 edition). Phillips (Atlases) 816. …

Very good. Overall age toning. Minor spotting at places. Size 12.5 x 10.5 Inches. A fine example of Thomas Cowperthwait and S. A. Mitchell's 1854 map of Greece and the Balkans under the Ottoman empire. Centered on the Aegean Sea, this map covers from Moldova to Crete and from the Adriatic to the Black Sea. This map depicts the waning years of Ottoman hegemony in the region, with the Greek Independence movement attaining independence in Peloponnese in 1821. The Ionian Republic, under the protection of Great Britain, was also free of Ottoman control. The other Grecian and Balkan states, including Serbia, Croatia, Moldavia, Wallachia, Albania, and Macedonia, remained at least nominally under Ottoman control until 1878. The whole is engraved in Mitchell's distinctive style with green border work and vivid pastels. Political and topographical features are noted and color coded with elevation rendered by hachure. This map was prepared by S. A. Mitchell for publication by the Philadelphia firm of Thomas Cowperthwait & Co. as plate no. 62 in the 1854 edition of Mitchell's New General Atlas . Dated and copyrighted, 'entered according to act of Congress in the year 1850 by Thomas Cowperthwait & Co. in the Clerk's office of the eastern District of Pennsylvania. References: Rumsey 0537.060 (1846 edition). Phillips (Atlases) 814.…

No binding. Condition: Very Good. Very good. Marginal mend at bottom centerfold not impacting image, else excellent. Original outline and wash color. Size: Height 13 x width 17.5 inches. This is a beautiful, bright example of Janvier's 1771 decorative map of Turkey in Europe. Date: 1771 (undated) Note: Greece, the Balkans, and Turkey. References: Rumsey 2612.047. Phillips (Atlases) 664. National Maritime Museum, 215. British Library (World), col. 384-385 (1762-1785 eds.). …

Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Original platemark visible. Overall toning and foxing at places. Size 20 x 24 Inches. This is an attractive 1817 map of the Balkans by the Edinburgh cartographer John Thomson. It depicts the region from modern day Slovenia east to the Black Sea and from Moldova south to include Bulgaria. The map also notes the ancient Roman regions of Illyricum, Dacia and Moesia. Throughout, the map notes both contemporary and ancient place names. Also notes rivers, mountains and other topographical features. Following the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC, the Greek peninsula came under Roman rule. The period from 31 BC and AD 180 in Greek history is described as the era of the Pax Romana. This was a period of peace and security when many Greek cities flourished, leading to cultural and economic progress. The classical period in Greek history, which lasted from the 5th century B.C. through the 4th century B.C. greatly influenced the Roman Empire's politics, art, architecture, philosophy and literature. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Greece became the center of the Eastern Roman or Byzantium Empire. Thomson's work, including this map, represents some of the finest cartographic art of the 19th century. His maps are known for their stunning color, awe-inspiring size, and magnificent detail. This map was prepared by John Thomson for inclusion in the 1817 edition of his New General Atlas .…

Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Minor toning and spotting. Narrow top margin. Size 21 x 25.5 Inches. This is an attractive 1817 map of Greece, the Balkans and Ukraine by the Edinburgh cartographer John Thomson. It depicts the region from Greece north to include the southern portions of Ukraine, including Crimea. Includes the whole or part of the modern day nations of Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Serbia and Hungary. Rivers, mountains and other topographical features are noted. As the title suggest, this map was issued to depict the territories as set by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The regions are color coded with an explanation of the colors included in the lower right quadrant of the map. Following the defeat of Napoleonic France, the conference in Vienna set to resize the main powers so they could balance each other off and remain at peace. Europe under a new peaceful balance of power was centered on the five most important powers (also referred to as the five 'Great Powers') of the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Prussia and the Austrian empire. Alas, the 'peace' was but an illusion and Europe was anything but calm. Old rivalries would fester and soon nationalism, liberalism, revolution (industrial and otherwise) would once again be on the rise across Europe. This map is a part of a Thomson's larger 4 map set of Europe. Thomson's work, including this map, represents some of the finest cartographic art of the 19th century. His maps are known for their stunning color, awe-inspiring size, and magnificent detail. This map was prepared by John Thomson for inclusion in the 1817 edition of his New General Atlas . References: Rumsey 1007.036.…

Good. Discoloration along the centerfold. Wear along the centerfold at margins. Slight foxing at upper-left margin. Size 12.5 x 14 Inches. This is Matthew Carey and William Barker's c. 1795 map of Ottoman Europe, Hungary, and nearby territories in southeastern Europe, made for Carey's General Atlas . It depicts the region as it was just prior to a major rearrangement that would see Ottoman rule over the European portion of its empire collapse. A Closer Look Coverage includes Hungary, the Balkans, Greece, and territories that today compose Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Waterways, mountains, cities, administrative borders, and regions appear in extensive detail. Scales are provided in Hungarian miles and British statute miles. Bulgaria and Romania are reversed from their actual locations, a curious error which remained in later editions. The Decline of Ottoman Europe Often remembered as the 'sick man of Europe,' the Ottoman Empire went through a long period of unrest and dissolution from the late 18th through the early 20th century. In fact, there were several important reform efforts that might have forestalled the empire's disintegration, but they were hindered by opposition from entrenched interests. The Ottoman's main problem was dealing with an increasingly powerful Russia to its north while also managing potential threats from Austria and other nearby powers, especially as Russia and Austria were allied for much of the 18th century. Although on the defensive, the Ottomans were able to do so for the first half of the 18th century, but the disastrous Russo-Turkish War of 1768 - 1774 led to the loss of Crimea, and another war against Russia from 1787 until 1792 led to further losses along the Black Sea. The Ottomans also had to contend with rising discontent among subject populations, including a 1769 - 1772 revolt in Egypt and periodic Greek uprisings, harbingers of greater troubles to come. By the 1830s, Ottoman rule over most of the territory seen here would be seriously threatened or eliminated entirely. Publication History and Census This map was engraved by William Barker for the 1795 or 1796 edition of Carey's General Atlas (sometimes subtitled American Edition of Guthrie's Geography improved ). Its distribution is difficult to firmly establish, both due to uncertainty over its date and because the OCLC catalog listing includes digitized copies along with physical examples. The map is listed among the holdings of the American Antiquarian Society, while the entire atlas is held by a handful of universities and research institutions in the United States and Europe. References: Rumsey 2862.014 (1796 edition). OCLC 793032211, 53047069.…

Very good. Closed centerfold split to the right of the cartouche, stabilized on verso. Soiling lower corners due to handling. Small pencil annotation near center. Size 20.5 x 23.5 Inches. An example of Johann Baptist Homann's c. 1710 map of southeastern Europe, with a special focus on the Danube River. A Closer Look Coverage embraces from Bohemia to Malta in the west and from the Dnieper (Dnipro) River to Crete and Rhodes in the east. Settlements are labeled throughout, with the larger towns and cities illustrated by buildings. Several of these are recorded for purely academic interest, such as Delphi, which had been destroyed and abandoned for centuries. Waterways, hills and mountains, islands, coastal features, and administrative boundaries are also illustrated. The Danube and its tributaries are traced in bold lines across the map. The ancient Roman Via Militaris is also noted, running between Belgrade ( Singidunum ) and Seliuree (Silivri, formerly Selymbria or Selybria) near Constantinople. The combination of Latin, Italian, German, and Polish placenames gives a sense of Homann's source material, as well as the prevailing political powers in different regions. A curious inset map on the left covers the Upper Danube, originating in the Black Forest and flowing through Swabia. The title cartouche includes several references to Greek mythology, including Pegasus at the top and Istros at the right, symbolizing the Danube River. The figures at left are uncertain, but they could be Heracles slaying the Lernaean Hydra or Cadmus defeating a similar water dragon. The figures to the far left of the cartouche are likely naiads (freshwater nymphs). Historical Context Between 1707 and 1710, Greece and the wider Balkans were under the control of the Ottoman Empire, which was experiencing both internal challenges and external threats during this period. While Ottoman rule remained dominant, the region was marked by unrest and tensions stemming from heavy taxation, corruption, and the empire's efforts to suppress dissent. In Greece, particularly in the Peloponnese, this period followed the end of the Morean War (1684 - 1699), during which the Venetians had temporarily taken control of the region. However, the Treaty of Karlowitz (1699) had returned the Peloponnese to Ottoman control, and by 1707, the Ottomans were re-establishing their authority, often harshly, leading to resentment among the Greek population. Resistance to Ottoman rule simmered in the northern Balkans, with Christian populations in Serbia, Bulgaria, and Wallachia looking to Austria or Russia for support. However, these powers were preoccupied with other conflicts, such as the Great Northern War and Rákóczi's War of Independence in Hungary. Publication History and Census This map was prepared by Johann Baptist Homann. Although examples in institutional catalogs are assigned dates ranging from 1702 into the 1730s (with later issues by Homann Heirs into the late 1750s), the present work was prepared between 1707 and 1710 for inclusion in the 1710 edition of his Neuer Atlas . Although later issues of the map are superficially similar to the present map, there are numerous updates and changes, including Homann's Privilege, explanatory notes, and a representation of the Danube River transposed on the Black Sea in later issues. Also, the face of the mythological figure holding a lyre and bow on the left side of the cartouche is noticeably different between the present map and later issues, indicating a new plate rather than modifications to an existing plate. Of note, this example has an old color cartouche, which is very rare in Homann maps, as he generally preferred to leave the cartouche uncolored (most examples with colored cartouches represent modern color).…

No binding. Condition: Very Good. Very good. Even warm toning. Some minor edge reinforcements along original fold lines. Size: Height 24.5 x width 45 inches. This is an uncommon large-format c. 1739 Homann Heirs map of the Balkans drawn by the royal military engineer Johann Friedrich (Franz) Ottinger (fl. c. 1736 - 1765). It is superbly detailed and includes two dozen insets of cities and fortifications, illustrating the events of the Austro-Turkish War of 1737 - 1739. Date: 1738 (undated) Note: Forgotten Austro-Turkish War of 1737-39. References: OCLC 781232275. …

Very good. Mounted on linen. Light wear and toning along original fold lines. Blank on verso. Size 31.75 x 20.75 Inches. This is an 1854 James Wyld map of the eastern Balkans and the Black Sea coast during the Crimean War. The map depicts the region from Salonica to Odessa, and from the Dnister (Dniester) River to the island of Lesbos (I. Mytilini) in the Aegean Sea. Published in the middle of the conflict, Wyld presents the theater of war, highlighting the two regions first occupied by the Russian Empire (Wallachia and Moldavia) and allowing his viewers a better understanding of the news they were receiving from their armies in the Balkans. Geographic Context Highly detailed, myriad cities, towns, and villages are labeled throughout, including Odessa, Adrianople, Salonica, Gallipoli, and Constantinople. Topography is also noted, with chains of hills and mountains indicated by hachure and rivers and streams meandering their way to the sea. Three different grades of roads are marked from 'great roads' to 'carriage roads' and finally to 'cross roads'. Ancient roads are also noted. Forts and batteries, Greek monasteries, and inns are also marked. Various colors are used to highlight regional boundaries, with Moldavia, Austria, Bessarabia, Walachia, Bulgaria, and Rumili among those identified. A brilliant blue sets apart the regional seas, as well as the Bosporus (Bosphorus) and the Strait of the Dardanelles in two inset maps situated in the lower right corner. A plan of the town of Schoumla is situated along the right border. This city, located along two mountain passes through the Balkan Mountains, was an important site in the Crimean War, which was raging at the time of this map's publication. Per the map, only five practicable passes over the Balkan Mountains existed at this time, and the two routes through Schoumla led directly to Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. The Crimean War The Crimean War, with an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and Sardinia on one side of the conflict and the Russian Empire on the other, lasted from October 1853 until February 1856. The root cause of the war has never been fully understood, but the stated impetus for hostilities was the rights of Christians in the Holy Land, with the Catholics being supported by the French and the Greek Orthodox Church gaining the support of the Russians. Other factors also included the gradual decline of the Ottoman Empire and British and French concerns about Russian gains in the region at the cost of the Ottomans. Further Historical Context Hostilities erupted in July 1853 when Russia invaded two Ottoman suzerainties known collectively as the Danubian Principalities, labeled here as Wallachia and Moldavia. The Ottomans immediately responded and fought a defensive campaign that eventually halted the Russian advance at Silistra, which the Russians besieged. Alarmed by the possibility of an Ottoman collapse, the British and French jumped to their aid, sending troops and supplies to Gallipoli. They did not arrive at Silistra until after the Russians had withdrawn. Further Conflict Now, public opinion at home, where discontent at the seemingly wasted effort and expense of sending armies to the Balkans, exerted an influence on the alliance. This outcry led to the planning and execution of an invasion of the Crimean Peninsula in September and a siege of the Russian naval port of Sevastopol, their primary naval base in the Black Sea, which lasted for eleven months. Russia finally sued for peace in March 1856 and in the Treaty of Paris the ended the war Russia lost its Black Sea ports, Wallachia and Moldavia gained a modicum of independence, and Christians in the Holy Land were given a degree of equality. Publication History and Census This map was created and published by James Wyld in 1854. The OCLC records examples as being part of the collections at Yale University, Harvard University, and the British Library. References: OCLC 948645527.…