Philips Map of the Seat of War 1854 – Black Sea, Turkey & Russia Antique Map

€ 620

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1854
Mapmaker / artist: George Philip & Son, Liverpool, 1854
Technique: Engraving with original hand color, dissected and mounted on linen
Sheet size: 46.5 × 65.5 cm (18.3 × 25.8 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-13846-1

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Original hand color with light age toning. Some spotting and fold wear consistent with age. No Linen backing.

About this sheet

Philips Map of the Seat of War 1854 – Black Sea, Turkey & Russia Antique Map

This folding map, titled “Philips’ Map of the Seat of War”, was published in Liverpool by George Philip & Son in 1854, at the outbreak of the Crimean War (1853–1856). It was produced for the British public eager to follow developments in a conflict that involved Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia against Russia.

The map focuses on the Black Sea region, the heart of the conflict. It details the frontier provinces of Turkey, Russia, and Austria, including Moldavia, Wallachia, Transylvania, and the Crimea. Towns, fortresses, rivers, and mountain ranges are finely engraved, while borders are highlighted in hand color. The Black Sea is rendered with bold horizontal shading, drawing attention to its strategic significance as the theater of naval operations.

The map’s coverage extends from Vienna and southern Poland in the west to the Caucasus, Armenia, and Persia in the east. Constantinople (Istanbul), the Dardanelles, Sevastopol, Odessa, Trebizond, and other major centers of military interest are clearly shown.

This map is not only a geographical document but also a piece of political propaganda, designed to help the British public visualize the war front. Its practical folding format suggests it was intended for both educational and popular use.

Framing tips: A strong candidate for float-mounting to showcase its linen panels and folding structure. A simple dark frame with cream mat would enhance the period feel while keeping the map’s vibrant hand coloring in focus.

Collector’s note: George Philip & Son was one of the leading British map publishers of the mid-19th century. Their “Seat of War” maps, produced during the Crimean War, are highly sought after today as historical artifacts linking Victorian cartography with contemporary world events. This 1854 edition represents one of the earliest printed maps reflecting the unfolding conflict.