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Bowen's Massive Mid-18th Century Geography and Atlas

Complete With Early American Maps

A nice example of this impressive two-volume mid-18th century English atlas and description of the world, featuring a wide range of maps by Emanuel Bowen, one of the leading 18th century London map and printsellers. The present work was first published in 1744. The present set is dated 1747 on both title-pages. Bowen styles his work as an expansion of the fourth edition of Moll's Complete Geography.

According to Tooley, Bowen "had the unusual distinction of being appointed engraver of maps to both George II and Louis XV. Bowen's maps have usually small but quite pleasing vignette title pieces." 

Perhaps the most interesting maps here are those relating to North America, the Caribbean, and the present-day United States. Some of these regional American maps likely contributed to Bowen's 1775, An Accurate Map of North America, which John Gibson worked on as well. 

[These maps are based] largely on earlier works such as Henry Popple's Map of the British Empire in America and maps by French cartographers J. N. Bellin and J. B. D'Anville - Pritchard & Taliaferro.

The text, which is extensive, presents a wealth of geographical and historical knowledge drawn from the best contemporary sources. 

Notable American maps:

• A New General Map of America. [vol. 2, no. 51] Shows North and South America.
• A New & Accurate Map of Louisiana, with Part of Florida and Canada, and the Adjacent Countries. Drawn from Surveys assisted by the most approved English & French Maps & Charts. The whole being regulated by Astron. Observations.  [vol. 2, no. 58]
  • Much detail with many placenames, with the region encompassing present-day Texas labeled "Country of the Cenis." Names of Native Tribes noted throughout western frontier areas, including the Apaches, Padoucass, Osayes, Chouanons, Cherokees, and others. 

With an interesting note printed on the map:

We think it proper to Inform ye curious Reader, that in laying down ye Coast & Boundaries of ye British Empire in America, as well as that of Louisiana, Canada, or New France, Recourse has been had to all ye Surveys & most Authentick Charts & Maps hitherto Published; But more particularly, to Monsr. Bellin's Maps of Canada, Louisiana, &c. drawn by him for ye use of P. Charlevoix's History of New France; and as our Maps of these parts, differ considerably from most others, this difference must be principally attributed to our relying on Monsr. Bellin's authority.

• A New & Accurate Map of the Provinces of North & South Carolina &c. [vol. 2, no. 59]
  • "This is a copy of the Carolina sheet of Popple's great twenty-sheet map of North America (1733), reduced in size" - Cumming.
• A New & Accurate Map of Mexico or New Spain together with California, New Mexico &c. [vol. 2, no. 57]
  • Beautiful map shows Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, and the region encompassing present-day Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Southern California, Baja California, etc.
• A New and Accurate Map of Terra Firma and the Caribbe Islands [vol. 2, no. 56]
• A New and Accurate Map of Virginia & Maryland [vol. 2, no. 60]
• A New and Accurate Map of New Jersey, Pensylvania, New York and New England [vol. 2, no. 61]
• Particular Draughts and Plans of Some of the Principal Towns and Harbours Belonging to the English, French, and Spaniards in America and West Indies [vol. 2, no. 63]
• A New & Accurate Map of Bermudas or Sommer's Islands - An Accurate Map of the Island of St. Christopher [vol. 2, no. 64]
• A New & Accurate Map of the Island of Cuba - A New & Accurate Map of the Islands of Hispaniola [vol. 2, no. 65]
• A New & Accurate Map of the Island of Jamaica [vol. 2, no. 66]
• A New & Accurate Map of the Island of Antigua [vol. 2, no. 67]
• A New & Accurate Map of the West Indies [vol. 2, no. 68]
• An Accurate Map of the Island of Barbadoes [vol. 2, no. 69]

Other maps of American interest:

• A New & Accurate Map of all the Known World [vol. 1, no. 1]
• A New & Accurate Map of Brasil [vol. 2, no. 52]
• A New & Accurate Map of Paraguay, Rio de la Plata, Tucumania Guaria &c. [vol. 2, no. 53]
• A New & Accurate Map of Chili, Terra Magellanica, Terra del Fuego &c. [vol. 2, no. 54]
• A New & Accurate Map of Peru, and the country of the Amazones [vol. 2, no. 55]
• A New & Accurate Map of the islands of Newfoundland, Cape Breton, St. John and Anticosta. [vol. 2, no. 62]
• A New & Accurate Map of the North Pole [vol. 2, no. 70]
• A Map of old Greenland [vol. 2, no. 71]