Map of Western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago – Observatorio de Manila, 1899
€ 440
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1899
Mapmaker / artist
Rev. José Algué, S.J., Observatorio de Manila, 1899
Technique
Chromolithograph on paper
Sheet size
32.5 × 37 cm (12.8 × 14.6 in)
Condition
Excellent
Reference
BG-12176-28
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
With vibrant original color and clean paper throughout. Margins lightly toned; embossed and inked seals are sharp and clearly visible.
About this sheet
Map of Western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago – Observatorio de Manila, 1899
This original chromolithographed map titled “Islas Filipinas – Mindanao Occidental y Joló” (Plate No. 28) was created under the direction of Rev. José Algué, S.J., Director of the Observatorio de Manila, and published in 1899 as part of the Atlas de Filipinas. It depicts the western section of Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, one of the most historically and strategically significant regions in the southern Philippines.
The map extends from the province of Misamis down to Zamboanga and westward across the Sulu Sea to the islands of Basilan, Jolo, and the Tawi-Tawi group. The inset at the upper left provides a finely detailed view of the town and harbor of Zamboanga, including the fortifications, roads, and adjacent coastline. This level of precision illustrates the Jesuit Observatory’s dedication to both scientific geography and administrative utility.
The cartography is rendered in subtle shades of brown, green, and blue, effectively conveying relief and bathymetry. The “Signos” legend identifies a variety of symbols, marking capitals, pueblos, military installations, telegraph lines, and meteorological observatories. Of particular interest is the delineation of sea routes and soundings throughout the Sulu Archipelago, showing the importance of navigation and trade across these channels connecting the Celebes and Sulu Seas.
Stamped with the circular brown seal of the “Observatorio de Manila” and embossed with the official insignia of the “U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey,” this plate represents the Jesuit Observatory’s scientific excellence and its transition into the early American mapping projects of the Philippine archipelago. These maps were integral to the first comprehensive U.S. Atlas of the Philippine Islands published in Washington in 1900.
Framing tips: A warm mahogany or deep walnut frame with an off-white mat will highlight the delicate colors of the map. This plate pairs beautifully with its companion sheet of Eastern Mindanao, forming a complete representation of the southern Philippines.
