Antique Map of West Africa by Bowen (c.1747)

Description: Antique map of Africa titled 'A New & Accurate Map of Negroland and the Adjacent Countries also Upper Guinea, showing the Principal European Settlements & distinguishing wch. belong to England, Denmark, Holland & the Sea Coast & some of the rivers'. Bowen's map of West Africa extends along the coast from Sao Tome to the Canary Islands. Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Benin are here called "Tooth Coast", "Gold Coast" and "Slave Coast" respectively. Inland detail is very much fictional with lakes, rivers, deserts and kingdoms all invented. Bowen's map is a good example of the European view of this area - "Gabou from whence they bring Jasper and Slaves" and "Tomabut from whence are brought Gold, Ivory and good tin" are just two descriptions to be found on the map. The title appears in a decorative cartouche at lower left including an elephant and non-European figures conducting their trade. 

Artists and Engravers: Emanuel Bowen (1694?-1767) was a British engraver and print seller. He was most well-known for his atlases and county maps. Although he died in poverty, he was widely acknowledged for his expertise and was appointed as mapmaker to both George II of England and Louis XV of France. His business was carried on by his son, Thomas Bowen. He also trained many apprentices, two of whom became prominent mapmakers, Thomas Kitchin and Thomas Jeffreys.