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An Ornate and Historical Tallis Map of Jamaica with Decorative Vignettes, 1851
About the Item
This original antique map of Jamaica is part of the renowned series created by the Tallis Company, known for their detailed and decorative maps of the 19th century. The company was founded by John Tallis, who was an English cartographic publisher. His maps are especially noted for their ornate borders and vignettes that illustrate various cultural and geographic aspects of the regions they depict.
The map itself is an intricate representation of Jamaica during the era of the British Empire, detailed with regions, towns, and geographical features such as mountains and rivers. Jamaica, an island in the Caribbean, was a British colony at the time this map was produced. It is known for its rich history, including its indigenous Taino people, Spanish conquest, and subsequent British colonization, and it was a significant hub in the transatlantic slave trade.
The vignettes surrounding the map offer a glimpse into the life and landscapes of Jamaica during the colonial period. They typically depict scenes of local importance or characteristic activities, giving additional context to the map itself. In this case, the scenes likely show various aspects of Jamaican society and economy, such as plantation life, which was a crucial part of the island's history given its role in sugar production.
The British Colonies by Robert Montgomery Martin, who was a colonial administrator, statistician, and author, is a comprehensive account of the British Empire's territories during the height of its power. His works provided detailed descriptions and statistics, aiming to inform the British public and officials about the vast expanse and diversity of the empire.
The Tallis maps, including this map of Jamaica, are collector's items today, prized for their beauty and historical value. They represent an era of extensive British exploration, colonization, and cartography, reflecting the Victorian interest in the broader world and the British role within it.
More details on the insets:
The insets on the map of Jamaica are detailed vignettes that illustrate various locales and features of the island, and they are a distinctive characteristic of John Tallis' maps. Here are the descriptions of the insets provided in the images:
1. **Port Antonio**: This vignette shows a coastal scene with a view of the town of Port Antonio. The image depicts several ships in the harbor and the town spread out along the coast, set against a backdrop of rolling hills or mountains in the distance. The foliage is lush, which is characteristic of the Jamaican landscape.
2. **Port Royal Harbour**: The vignette captures the serene waters of Port Royal Harbour with several boats sailing or docked in the calm bay. In the background, the Blue Mountains rise, which is a notable geographic feature of Jamaica known for its natural beauty and the famous coffee that is grown in its highlands.
3. **Seal of the Colony**: At the center of the top part of the map, there is the depiction of the "Seal of the Colony" which would be the official seal used during the British colonial administration. It represents the authority and governance of the time.
4. **Kingston**: This vignette features the city of Kingston, the capital and largest city of Jamaica. It shows a panoramic view of the city with buildings and vegetation. The scene is from a vantage point that looks over the city towards the harbor, showing a few ships and the ocean in the background.
5. **Fish with Wings (Flying Fish)**: The bottom vignette on the map shows a "fish with wings," which could represent a flying fish, a species known to frequent the waters around Jamaica. It adds an element of the local fauna to the map and highlights the island's rich marine life.
The combination of these vignettes with the highly detailed and ornamented map offers a window into Jamaica's landscapes, important cities, and maritime activities during the period. These picturesque and detailed insets would serve to make the map not just a navigational tool but also an item of interest to those appreciative of art, history, and geography. They are key selling points for the map, as they provide both beauty and a narrative element that can engage a potential buyer's interest.
- 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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