“THE MOST RELIABLE AND VALUABLE HISTORICAL RECORD”: LARGE IMPORTANT ARROWSMITH MAP OF ASIA, 1801, NEARLY 4 BY 5 FEET

ARROWSMITH, Aaron. Asia. Engraved by George Allen. London: A. Arrowsmith, 1801. Large original linen-backed folding map in 24 panels, measuring 58 by 49 inches, in contemporary paper slipcase with manuscript cover label. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $3000.

Wonderful large-scale and accurate Arrowsmith map, engraved by George Allen and mounted in 24 separate panels, hand-colored in outline and dedicated to James Rennell, “founder of oceanography.”

One time surveyor for the Hudson Bay Company, Aaron Arrowsmith, prominent British cartographer and “hydrographer” to the Prince of Wales, “concentrated his energies all his working life on the production of large scale general maps and the recording of the latest geographical discoveries. Hard working and conscientious, he constantly revised his sheets with the result that his maps more than any others provide the most reliable and valuable historical records of his own time” (Tooley, Africa, 8). With his sons, Arrowsmith produced over 750 maps. “The Arrowsmith output was prodigious: clarity and accuracy were his aims— and he achieved them as no other English cartographer was able to before him. His maps are still essential to historians who want to delve into the history of 18th-century exploration in the Pacific” (Tooley, Landmarks, 98). This large color-outlined map of Asia, with its splendid cartouche and dedication to famous oceanographer James Rennell, stands as the most up-to-date map of the area in its time. Rennell was “the founder of oceanography: that branch of geographical science which deals with the ocean, its winds and currents” (Clements Markham). The engraver, George Allen, specialized in maps and charts from his London shop in Shoe Lane (London Book Trades 1775-1800).

Minor curling to a few panels near folds, age-wear to contemporary slipcase. An extremely good copy of a lovely and historically significant map.