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Description

Includes The Caravan Routes To Mecca

Large detailed map of the region, centered on the Saudi peninsula and the Red Sea.

In the Arabian Peninsula, the map notes the Route of the Indian Caravans from Katif (El Qatif) to Mecca and the Route of the Persian Caravans from Mecca To Basra, where it meets the Caravans to Aleppo.

In Egypt, the map notes the Caravan route from Mecca to Dongola, the Caravan route from Sudan to Meca, the Route from Niger to Cairo and several unnamed routes. And east of Terfowi is labeled Moving Sand.

Bahrain is named, with Catura to the south. Samahae is shown, likely that "Samahe" an early attempt at the peninsula of Qatar.  The name is very rare on maps, although it is mentioned in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia in 1832.

Koueit (Kuwait) is named.

Detailed map, showing the caravan routes. Of interest is the route of the Frigate 'La Venus', which charted the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean before disappearing in a hurricane with all crew and cargo in 1788. One of the best large format English atlas maps of the period.

Condition Description
Minor soiling.
John Cary Biography

John Cary (1755-1835) was a British cartographer and publisher best known for his clean engraving and distinct style which influenced the entire map industry. Born in Wiltshire, John was apprenticed to an engraver in London. He started his own business by 1782 and moved to several premises before settling at 86 St James’s Street in 1820.

Cary had several significant collaborations during his career. John Wallis and Cary diversified Cary’s business to include broader publishing projects. Brother William and John made globes together, while brother Francis participated in the company’s engraving work. Finally, geologist William Smith and Cary developed and sold geological maps, some of the first of their kind. The pair also produced a notable series of county maps starting in 1819. Cary’s atlases, of English counties and the world, were the standard texts of the early nineteenth century. He was appointed surveyor of roads to the General Post Office in 1794, which led to the New Itinerary, first published in 1798.  

John trained his son, George, in engraving and George and his other son, John Jr., took over the business in 1821. It was then known as G. and J. Cary and continued in trade until 1850. The firm’s materials were then acquired by George Frederick Cruchley and then Gall and Inglis. By the time John died in 1835, Cary was the authoritative name in private map publishing and his business was a leader in the field throughout the first half of the nineteenth century.