South America · 19th century
€ 350
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. Please study the photographs carefully for the most accurate impression of condition.
This finely engraved antique map of northwestern 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. Beautifully detailed and delicately colored, the map presents a fascinating view of the region during the late nineteenth century, when many of the modern nations of South America were still defining their borders and expanding transportation networks.
The map covers Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and portions of Brazil and Bolivia. It illustrates the dramatic geography of the northern Andes, the vast Amazon Basin, the Caribbean coastline, and the Pacific coast of South America. Hundreds of towns, rivers, mountain ranges, ports, and provincial boundaries are identified, providing a valuable historical snapshot of the region.
Notable places shown include Caracas, Maracaibo, Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Quito, Guayaquil, Lima, Callao, Trujillo, Cuzco, Lake Maracaibo, the Orinoco River, the Magdalena River, the Amazon River, and numerous settlements throughout the Andes and Amazon rainforest. The map also includes Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands situated off the Venezuelan coast.
One of the most striking features is the careful depiction of the Andes Mountains, which form a dramatic spine through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The extensive river systems flowing into the Amazon Basin are shown in remarkable detail, highlighting the importance of these waterways for exploration, commerce, and settlement. The map reflects European geographic knowledge of South America during a period of increasing scientific exploration and economic development.
John Bartholomew was among the leading cartographers of the Victorian era. His maps for A. & C. Black became renowned for their accuracy, clarity, and elegant presentation. Black’s General Atlas was widely distributed throughout Britain and the British Empire and remains highly regarded among collectors of antique maps today.
This decorative and historically significant map is particularly desirable for collectors of South American cartography, Venezuelan history, Colombian history, Peruvian history, Ecuadorian history, exploration, geography, genealogy, and nineteenth-century travel.
Keywords: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bogotá, Caracas, Quito, Lima, Guayaquil, Medellín, Cartagena, Maracaibo, Amazon River, Amazon Basin, Orinoco River, Magdalena River, Andes Mountains, Cuzco, Callao, Trinidad, Tobago, South America, Victorian map, antique map, John Bartholomew, A. & C. Black, Edinburgh, exploration, cartography, geography.
Condition: Good antique condition with age-related toning and light wear consistent with age. 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 delicate original coloring while maintaining an elegant nineteenth-century 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
