South East Asia – East Indies

London 1744-7

copper engr. map; overall 39 x 47 cm; image 37 x 45 cm. recent hand colouring; folds as issued; evenly toned; false left and right margin; some off-set ; signs of framing; repair to split in top c’fold; o/w g cond.

A very detailed map of the East Indies with parts of Australia. Charming cartouche.

E. Bowen was one of the most prolific and important English map and print engravers and sellers of the 18th century. He was appointed Engraver of Maps to George II of England. Amongst his apprentices were Thomas Kitchin who later became his son-in-law and his son Thomas Bowen (c1732/3 – 1790). He worked closely together with John Owen and the Bowles family. This map stems from his atlas A Complete System of Geography and contained70 maps, published between 1744 and 1747.