South America · 19th century
€ 395
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good antique condition with age-related toning and light wear consistent with age. Original center fold as issued. Please study the photographs carefully for the most accurate impression of condition.
This attractive antique map of South America was produced under the direction of the renowned Scottish cartographer John Bartholomew and published by A. & C. Black in Edinburgh in 1884 as part of the New and Revised Edition of Black’s General Atlas of the World. Elegantly engraved and delicately colored, the map presents the entire South American continent in remarkable detail and serves as an excellent example of late nineteenth-century atlas cartography.
The map depicts all of South America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, the Guianas, and the Falkland Islands. Major rivers, mountain ranges, coastlines, cities, ports, and political boundaries are carefully engraved, providing a fascinating snapshot of the continent during a period of rapid economic growth, exploration, and political development.
The vast Amazon Basin dominates the center of the continent, with an extensive network of rivers feeding into the Amazon River system. The Andes Mountains stretch dramatically along the western coast from Colombia to southern Chile, while the fertile plains of Argentina, the Brazilian Highlands, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines are all clearly represented.
Important cities and regions identified include Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, Bogotá, Caracas, Montevideo, Asunción, Quito, La Paz, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, the Amazon River, the Orinoco River, and the Falkland Islands. The map reflects South America as understood by European geographers during the Victorian era and provides valuable insight into the political geography of the continent before many twentieth-century developments.
John Bartholomew was one of the most influential cartographers of the nineteenth century. His maps for A. & C. Black became internationally respected for their precision, clarity, and attractive presentation. Black’s General Atlas was widely used throughout Britain, Europe, and the British Empire and remains one of the most collectible atlas publications of the Victorian period.
This map is both decorative and historically significant, making it an excellent addition for collectors of South American cartography, exploration, geography, colonial history, genealogy, and nineteenth-century travel.
Keywords: South America, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Amazon River, Amazon Basin, Andes Mountains, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Falkland Islands, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, Bogotá, Caracas, Montevideo, Quito, La Paz, Victorian map, antique map, John Bartholomew, A. & C. Black, Edinburgh, exploration, cartography.
Condition: Good antique condition with age-related toning and light wear consistent with age. Original center fold as issued. Please study the photographs carefully for the most accurate impression of condition.
Framing tips: This map displays beautifully in a dark walnut, ebonized, or museum-black frame with a warm ivory mat. A subtle gilt liner can enhance the original coloring while maintaining a refined historical appearance suitable for both traditional and contemporary interiors.
This offering is for an original nineteenth-century engraved map, printed in 1884, and is not a modern reproduction, facsimile, or later copy.
Any framed room visualizations shown are provided solely for display inspiration. The map is sold unframed. Such visualizations may not accurately represent the print's exact dimensions, scale, or proportions relative to the frame or interior setting.
Technique: Engraving with printed color
Maker: J. Bartholomew for A. & C. Black, Edinburgh, 1884
