1817 China
By: John Thomson
Date: 1817 (published) Edinburgh
Dimensions: 22.5 x 20 inches (57 x 51 cm)
This is an original antique map of China, color coded by provinces of the early 19th century, published by John Thomson out of Edinburgh, Scotland.
The map delineates the “Great Wall,” in the north running east to west as well as another wall described as a “barrier of wooden spikes.” Taiwan is shown somewhat misshapen with its original European name “Formosa,” meaning beautiful island as it was dubbed by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. Along the coast of China the course of the British 'Macartney Embassy' or 'Mission' of 1793 can be traced. Escorted by the Royal Navy gunship H.M.S. Hindoostan, the H.M.S. Lion transported Lord George Macartney to China for a meeting with Emperor Qianlong.
John Thomson (1777-1840) was a Scottish cartographer based out of Edinburgh who is most well-known for his 1817 New General Atlas. This monumental work provided maps of great detail for nearly every country and island across the world. While other map makers would fill empty and unknown spaces with vignettes and geographical assumptions, Thompson elected to leave such spaces void of any uncertain cartography.
Condition: This map is in A condition with original color on heavy paper and full margins.
Inventory #11212
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