Persia and Arabia
Hand-colored engraved map • Likely published by Samuel Augustus Mitchell or J.H. Colton (American school of cartography)
Style & Movement
Victorian Era Decorative Cartography
Medium & Technique
Steel or copper plate engraving with hand-applied watercolor washes on paper
Creation Period
Circa 1850-1860
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 15 inches; landscape orientation
Subject Description
A geographical map of the Middle East featuring Persia (modern-day Iran) and the Arabian Peninsula. Regions are demarcated by vibrant hand-colored borders (red, yellow, green, and blue). It includes topographical details, major cities, and a decorative title block 'PERSIA and ARABIA' in typical 19th-century typography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair: Shows typical signs of age-related toning and minor foxing
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $250 USD
Auction Estimate
$80 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Likely removed from a mid-19th century atlas (such as Mitchell's New Universal Atlas); later held in a private collection or acquired through a print dealer
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 'Golden Age' of American commercial cartography. These maps were essential educational tools that combined scientific data with aesthetic hand-finishing, providing a Western perspective on the geopolitical boundaries of the Middle East during the mid-1800s.
Notable Features
Features a distinctive 'vineleaf' or decorative geometrical border characteristic of major mid-century American publishers like Mitchell or Colton; the hand-coloring is particularly well-preserved in the red and yellow zones.
Condition Issues
Evident yellowing (toning) of the paper due to acidity, slight darkening along the edges, and minor foxing (brown spots) in the margins.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be mounted using acid-free, archival-quality materials and framed under UV-protective glass to prevent further fading of the hand-applied colors.