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Ornate Cartography of Colonial Grandeur: The West India Islands around 1851

About the Item

This map is a part of John Tallis's series of maps, known for their detailed and ornamental style. John Tallis & Company, mentioned in the caption, was an English cartographic publisher active during the 19th century. The company was renowned for its detailed maps of countries and regions around the world, often including intricate border decorations, vignettes, and historically informative illustrations. The map itself is a mid-19th-century depiction of the West Indies, which is a region of the North Atlantic Ocean in the Caribbean that consists of the island countries and surrounding waters of three major archipelagos: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Lucayan Archipelago. The detail on the map is quite accurate for its time, showing not only the geography but also marking important cities and ports, which would have been vital information during the era of British colonialism. Robert Montgomery Martin, whose work is cited here, was a British author and colonial administrator, and his writings included comprehensive descriptions of the British colonies during the peak of the British Empire. His work was often used as the textual accompaniment to the maps produced by John Tallis. The Tallis maps are characterized by their vignettes that illustrate local scenes, notable features, or important figures, which can be seen in the margins of the map. These vignettes are valuable for giving cultural and social context to the geographical information presented. It's not just a map but a piece of historical documentation that reflects the interests and perspectives of the British during the time it was made. The presence of these artistic elements makes Tallis maps not just navigational tools but also historical artifacts and works of art. The map includes islands such as Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (containing Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico, and various smaller islands of the Lesser Antilles, amongst others. The economic, geopolitical, and social conditions of these countries during the era when this map was made were heavily influenced by colonial powers, primarily by the empires of Europe, including the British Empire. The screenshots from the map show various detailed sections of the West India Islands and surrounding areas, which include artistic elements and cartographic details typical of John Tallis maps: 1. The first image shows the northern part of the Caribbean, including the southern tip of Florida, the Bahamas, and the northwestern part of the Caribbean Sea. It features intricate border decorations that are a hallmark of Tallis's work. The map detail is quite meticulous, highlighting the geographical features and names of the islands, banks, and keys in the region. 2. The second image is focused on the central portion of the Caribbean Sea, showcasing islands and parts of the South American coast. It includes depictions of ships, indicating the region's maritime significance during the time the map was made. Again, this section displays a wealth of detail, naming even small islands and geographical features. 3. The third image zooms in on the top banner of the map, featuring the title "WEST INDIA ISLANDS" and an illustrative vignette showing a view of "Kingston, Jamaica, from the Commercial Rooms." There's also an inset showing the "Seal of Jamaica." These elements provide a historical and cultural context to the map and also serve as decorative embellishments that add to the aesthetic appeal of the document. Each section of the map also includes a compass rose, and the map's scale is noted at the bottom, demonstrating its use as a navigational tool as well as an artistic object. The map would have served both as an informative guide to the islands in the Caribbean during the era of British colonial influence and as a decorative piece demonstrating the British interest in and connection to these regions.

Dimensions:

Height: 10.71 in (27.2 cm)Width: 14.26 in (36.2 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)

Materials and Techniques:

Paper

Period:

1850-1859

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:

Seller: BG-13736-181stDibs: LU3054339299012

Ornate Cartography of Colonial Grandeur: The West India Islands around 1851

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