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An Old Illustrated Tallis Map of Central America with Volcanic Vignettes, 1851
About the Item
This map of Central America, part of John Tallis & Company's series from "The British Colonies" by Robert Montgomery Martin, is a fine example of mid-19th century cartography and would be around the time when the region was of increasing interest to British and global trade, particularly due to the considerations for creating a canal across the isthmus to enhance trade routes.
**The Maker - John Tallis & Company:**
John Tallis is renowned for his detailed maps with characteristic decorative vignettes. Tallis maps are known for not only their cartographic accuracy but also for their artistic embellishments. They often included elaborately drawn borders and detailed scenes relevant to the area depicted on the map.
**The Map - Central America:**
The map in question likely details the geographical features of Central America, including countries such as Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. During the mid-1800s, many of these regions would have been newly independent from Spain or undergoing political changes, and some were still under British influence, such as the British Honduras, now known as Belize.
**The Countries:**
Central American countries have diverse landscapes that include coastlines on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, mountain ranges, volcanoes, and rainforests. The region has a rich history, from the ancient Mayan civilization to the colonial period, and eventually the national independence movements in the 19th century.
**The Images on the Map:**
The illustrations on Tallis maps usually include important cities, landmarks, local flora, fauna, and scenes depicting the life of the inhabitants. For Central America, images might include representations of indigenous people, colonial architecture, landscapes with volcanoes, and scenes from ports or other hubs of economic activity.
**The Tallis Series:**
The series "The British Colonies" aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the British Empire's reach and influence. It was common during that era for such works to be a source of national pride and educational material for those in the metropole. The inclusion of artistic renditions of local scenes and landscapes served to make these maps more engaging and provided a narrative of exotic lands and colonial life.
Collectors and enthusiasts of historical maps prize Tallis maps for their beauty and detail, making them valuable items for collections that focus on cartographic history, Victorian art, and the history of exploration and colonialism.
More details of the insets:
The insets on the Tallis map of Central America pictures of are detailed illustrations that showcase significant landmarks and scenes from the region. Here's a description of each:
1. **The Title "Central America"**: Adorned with a decorative motif, the title sits prominently at the top of the map, framed by ornate scrollwork that is typical of Tallis' style.
2. **Volcano of Isalco**: This inset illustrates the Volcano of Isalco in El Salvador, one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. It is shown emitting smoke, with a church and other buildings in the foreground, indicating human settlement and activity near the volcano.
3. **Great Square of Antigua, Guatemala**: This vignette depicts the central square of Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala. The image shows several individuals in the foreground, possibly locals or travelers, with the grand colonial architecture of the city and the imposing volcanoes in the background, reflecting the blend of natural and urban landscapes of the region.
4. **Costa Rica**: Although not an inset of a specific scene, this portion of the map details the geographical features of Costa Rica, including its borders, main towns, and topography.
5. **Belise [Belize]**: The vignette represents Belize, known at the time as British Honduras. It shows a coastal town with several boats, including one with a large sail, navigating choppy waters. This scene highlights the maritime culture and tropical climate of Belize.
6. **Mosquito Coast**: The map details the region known as the Mosquito Coast, which extended along the eastern coast of Central America, from Belize down through Nicaragua. It was named after the Miskito Kingdom and was an area of interest due to its strategic location and natural resources.
These insets and illustrations provide a visual narrative that complements the geographic information on the map. They not only serve an aesthetic purpose but also help to contextualize the cultural and natural environment of the region during the era. Such features would have been particularly appealing to 19th-century audiences, who were eager to learn about and visualize distant lands. For modern collectors, these vignettes add historical value and depth to the map, making it a more attractive and informative piece.
- Dimensions:Height: 10.71 in (27.2 cm)Width: 14.26 in (36.2 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1851
- Condition:Good given age. Original fold in middle as published. General age-related toning, please study scan carefully.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:
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