Antique Map of India, Persia & Afghanistan – Detailed Continental Engraving 1864

€ 390

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

Date: 1864
Mapmaker / artist: E. Andriveau-Goujon, Paris, 1864
Technique: Engraving with original hand coloring
Sheet size: 53.1 × 70.2 cm (20.9 × 27.6 in)
Reference: BG-14099-14

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

Very good condition. Original centerfold as issued. Light age toning and minimal foxing to the margins. Strong impression with well-preserved original hand coloring. Plate number 33 in upper right.

About this sheet

Antique Map of India, Persia & Afghanistan – Andriveau-Goujon, Paris 1864

This detailed 19th-century map titled “Asie Méridionale comprenant la Presqu'île de l'Inde, la Perse, l'Afghanistan et le Beloutchistan” was published in Paris in 1864 by the renowned cartographer E. Andriveau-Goujon. Issued as plate number 35 in the Atlas Universel, it offers a comprehensive depiction of Southern Asia, covering the Indian subcontinent as well as the adjoining regions of Persia (Iran), Afghanistan, and Baluchistan.

The Indian peninsula is shown in extraordinary detail, capturing the complex political landscape under British colonial control. Princely states are individually colored, with clear boundaries separating territories under direct British rule from those governed by local rulers. Major cities such as Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Delhi, Lahore, and Hyderabad are prominently marked, alongside principal rivers, mountain ranges, and road networks.

To the northwest, the Persian Empire appears in yellow, stretching to the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Afghanistan and Baluchistan are delineated with colored boundaries, reflecting the geopolitical interest of European powers in this buffer zone between British India and the Russian Empire during the “Great Game.”

A legend at bottom center explains the various color codes and boundary lines, distinguishing independent states, provinces under British rule, and tribal regions. The inclusion of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean further situates the subcontinent within a broader maritime and geopolitical context.

This map serves as an important historical document reflecting colonial influence, territorial divisions, and regional geography during the mid-19th century.

Framing tips: Ideal in a dark wooden or ebonized frame with a neutral ivory or cream mount. A secondary mat in light ochre or muted red can highlight the warm tones in the map and complement antique interiors.