Seller: Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.Geographicus Rare Antique Maps

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Condition: Used

US$ 2,016.00

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Item description from seller

Average. Some edge wear and minor verso reinforcements along edge. Varnished over. Toning. Dampstaining in sky above city. Size 10.25 x 14.5 Inches. This is a rare c. 1900 Raja Ravi Varma chromolithograph view of the city of Mecca (??? ???????), the Masjid al-Haram (???????????? ???????????), and the Kaaba (??????????? ), Saudi Arabia. Unlike most other Varma views of the 'The Holy Capital', this is a proper city view, which although focused on the Masjid al-Haram, embraces a significant part of the surrounding city and mountains. Centered on the Kaaba (??????????? ), the view illustrates the Great Mosque during the Ottoman Period, when it had 7 minarets. The view was printed in Lonavala, India, by Raja Ravi Varma Press, one the first Indian owned and operated presses on the Subcontinent. A Closer Look The Kaaba (??????????? ) takes front and center, surrounded by arcades and supplementary buildings. All significant buildings, gates, and streets are labeled in Arabic. Some of the surrounding residential buildings are also noted - most of these have since been leveled for Saudi-era Mosque expansions. It bears an Arabic date, 1289 Hijri, roughly 1872 - presumably the date of the original artwork, as the lithograph itself could not have been produced any earlier than 1899, when the Raja Ravi Varma press moved to Lonavala. Chromolithography Chromolithography, sometimes called oleography, is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process involved using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Oftentimes, the process would start with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors were layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired product. Chromolithograph color could also be effectively blended for even more dramatic results. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it emerged as the dominate method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography produced made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda imagery. Publication History and Census This view was printed in the Lonavala workshop of the Raja Ravi Varma Press, Maharashtra, India. It is extremely rare with no other examples known.

Seller Inventory # MeccaView-varma-1900

Bibliographic details

Title
[Mecca / ].
Author
1900 Raja Ravi Varma Press View of Mecca (??? ???????), Saudi Arabia
Publication year
1900
Seller catalogs
MIDDLE-EAST-MAPS

Geographicus Rare Antique Maps

Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since November 21, 2024

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Store description

Geographicus Rare Antique Maps was founded in New York, New York, by Kevin James Brown in 1999. We are specialist antiquarians dealing in historic maps from all over the world and in all price ranges. Our enthusiasm, passion, and devotion to scholarship is expressed in our meticulously researched descriptions, among the most detailed and comprehensive available anywhere, for each and every rare map that passes over our desk. This same devotion guides the relationships of honesty and trust we have fostered with our clients, whether through purchasing or selling a rare map, getting an appraisal, or simply calling to discuss antique maps in general. We are happy to assist you no matter whether you are an interior decorator, an institution, an experienced collector, or are just looking for a single antique map. Geographicus is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America), the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), the New York Map Society, the Washington Map Society, the IMCOS, and the Society for the History of Discoveries. While primarily an internet-based company, we are happy to meet with clients to show our antique maps by appointment at our New York City location.

Specialty

MAPS

Association member

  • Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
  • The Ephemera Society of America
  • International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.