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Description

Fine large map of Greece, first published by Wyld in 1824. 

The note accompanying the map of Greece highlights the extensive and collaborative effort undertaken by Wyld to accurately represent the region by integrating a variety of authoritative sources.  Each of the contributors mentioned—Captain William Henry Smyth, Jean-Baptiste Chabert, Philippe Beauchamp, Captain Gauttier (Gaulthier de Rigny), Sir William Gell, Colonel William Martin Leake, François Pouqueville, and Edward Dodwell—played significant roles in the mapping and understanding of Greece before 1824. Their contributions reflect a blend of military, scientific, and exploratory endeavors that collectively enhanced the cartographic representation of Greece in the early 19th century.

Captain William Henry Smyth (1788–1865) was a British Royal Navy officer and an accomplished astronomer and surveyor. Smyth's surveys and astronomical observations were particularly valuable in producing accurate coastal charts of the Mediterranean, including Greece. His work was often used by cartographers for its precision in latitude and longitude measurements, making it indispensable for detailed mapping projects like this 1824 map. Smyth's commitment to combining naval duties with scientific inquiry exemplifies the dual role of military officers in expanding geographical knowledge during this period.

Jean-Baptiste Chabert (1726–1805), a French astronomer and geographer, was instrumental in the early efforts to chart the Mediterranean, including the Greek archipelago. Chabert's trigonometrical surveys were part of a broader French initiative to improve navigation and cartography in the region, which included measuring angles and distances to refine maps. His work provided foundational data that was built upon by subsequent surveyors, making him a critical figure in the advancement of geospatial knowledge of Greece.

Philippe Beauchamp, a French officer and geographer, conducted surveys in the Mediterranean during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Beauchamp's contributions were notable for their application of trigonometric methods to land and coastal surveys, which significantly enhanced the accuracy of maps produced in this era. His work, like that of Chabert, fed into the broader European cartographic efforts that sought to delineate the complex geography of Greece with greater precision.

Captain Henri de Rigny, often known as Gaulthier de Rigny (1782–1835), was a distinguished French naval officer and hydrographer whose surveys played a significant role in the cartographic representation of the Mediterranean, including Greece. Gaulthier de Rigny was deeply involved in naval hydrography, contributing valuable data that improved the accuracy of maps during this period. His work was instrumental in enhancing the understanding of the Greek coastline and key navigational features, which were crucial for both maritime strategy and geographic knowledge.

Sir William Gell (1777–1836) was a British archaeologist and topographer known for his detailed studies and travels throughout Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. Gell's itineraries and topographical observations provided valuable insights into the ancient ruins and landscape of Greece. His works, such as Itinerary of Greece and Topography of Troy, were widely used by cartographers for their descriptive accuracy and detailed illustrations, which helped to align ancient sites with their modern counterparts.

Colonel William Martin Leake (1777–1860) was a British military officer, antiquarian, and topographer whose surveys and writings on Greece are among the most detailed and respected of the early 19th century. Leake's works, including Researches in Greece and Travels in the Morea, combined military precision with a deep understanding of classical antiquity. His efforts to systematically document ancient sites and align them with contemporary geography made his surveys invaluable for mapmakers seeking to accurately represent both the historical and modern landscapes of Greece.

François Charles Hugues Laurent Pouqueville (1770–1838) was a French diplomat, physician, and traveler who is best known for his detailed accounts of his travels in Greece and the Ottoman Empire. Pouqueville's observations were particularly valuable for their ethnographic and cultural insights, alongside geographic details. His works, such as Voyage en Morée, à Constantinople, en Albanie, and others, provided a narrative that linked ancient and modern Greece, offering cartographers rich contextual information that complemented technical surveys.

Edward Dodwell (1767–1832) was an Irish painter, traveler, and writer who extensively documented his travels in Greece during the early 19th century. Dodwell's works, including A Classical and Topographical Tour through Greece, are celebrated for their vivid descriptions of ancient ruins and landscapes, which he meticulously sketched and described. His attention to the historical significance of locations made his itineraries a critical resource for those seeking to integrate classical heritage into modern cartographic depictions. 

Condition Description
Evidence of old folds
James Wyld Biography

James Wyld Sr. (1790-1836) was a British cartographer and one of Europe’s leading mapmakers. He made many contributions to cartography, including the introduction of lithography into map printing in 1812.

William Faden, another celebrated cartographer, passed down his mapmaking business to Wyld in 1823. The quality and quantity of Faden’s maps, combined with Wyld’s considerable skill, brought Wyld great prestige.

Wyld was named geographer to Kings George IV and William IV, as well as HRH the Duke of York. In 1825, he was elected an Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He was one of the founding members of the Royal Geographical Society in 1830. Also in 1830, his son, James Wyld Jr., took over his publishing house. Wyld Sr. died of overwork on October 14, 1836.

James Wyld Jr. (1812-87) was a renowned cartographer in his own right and he successfully carried on his father’s business. He gained the title of Geographer to the Queen and H.R.H. Prince Albert. Punch (1850) described him in humorous cartographic terms, “If Mr. Wyld’s brain should be ever discovered (we will be bound he has a Map of it inside his hat), we should like to have a peep at it, for we have a suspicion that the two hemispheres must be printed, varnished, and glazed, exactly like a pair of globes.”