Antique Old Map of Africa with Insets of Mauritius, Reunion and Natal, 1882
€ 250
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1882
Sheet size
38 × 57 cm (15.0 × 22.4 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13601-2-52
Condition
Good condition, folding line in the middle. The outer borders are slightly discolored due to age, but not the image. This map is ideal for framing. Study the image carefully.
About this sheet
The uploaded image is a historical map of Africa from the 1882 atlas by Blackie & Son. The map includes the entire African continent, with various countries, regions, and topographical features such as mountain ranges and rivers delineated. The map uses shading and color to indicate different territories and colonial interests, with different European powers controlling different regions at the time. Insets on the right-hand side show detailed maps of Mauritius, "Bourbon" (now Réunion), and Natal (a region in South Africa). These insets provide a closer look at these areas, showcasing details like towns, roads, and physical geography.
The main map includes the outline of the continent with a latitude and longitude grid. The detail and labeling reflect the contemporary knowledge and territorial claims of the period, including areas marked as deserts or under-explored regions. It's a snapshot of a time when the "Scramble for Africa" was in full swing, with European nations establishing and expanding their colonies and spheres of influence across the continent.