Persia, Arabia, &c.
Antique Map / Engraving on paper • Likely published by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. or S. Augustus Mitchell (Philadelphia school of cartography)
Style & Movement
Mid-Victorian Cartography / American Atlas Style
Medium & Technique
Steel engraving with hand-applied watercolor washes. The technique involves incising fine lines into a steel plate, permitting high-detail topographic and typographic rendering.
Creation Period
Circa 1850-1860 (Mid-19th Century)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 14 x 17 inches (35.5 x 43.2 cm); Landscape format
Subject Description
A geographical representation of the Middle East, including Persia (modern-day Iran), the Arabian Peninsula, and portions of Afghanistan and Beloochistan. The map features hand-colored political boundaries, topographical features indicated by hachures, and a decorative border.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Shows characteristic age-toning and minor margin wear consistent with its age.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $300 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $200 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a disbound mid-19th-century world atlas (e.g., Mitchell’s New Universal Atlas). Individual ownership history is typically private.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the period of intensive Victorian geographical exploration and the expansion of the American atlas industry. It provides a historical record of geopolitical boundaries in the Middle East during the mid-1800s.
Notable Features
Features the distinct 'vine' or decorative border typical of Mitchell/Cowperthwait maps of this era; includes a mileage scale in the lower left corner and hand-colored 'pink, yellow, and green' district divisions.
Condition Issues
Evident yellowing (toning) of the paper, minor foxing (brown spots), and possible light creasing along the centerfold where it was originally bound.
Conservation Recommendations
Mount using acid-free, archival-quality materials. Use UV-protective glazing to prevent fading of the hand-colored washes. Keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.