Catalog Archive
Auction 164, Lot 644

"Plan de Constantinople et du Bosphore pour Servir de Renseignement a la Carte des Limites des Trois Empires, ou Theatre de la Guerre Presente", Maire, Francois Joseph

Subject: Bosphorus, Turkey

Period: 1788 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
23.3 x 10.8 inches
59.2 x 27.4 cm
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This map depicts the Bosphorus Strait between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. A large inset shows a bird's-eye plan of the Rumelian Castle, which lies at the southern tip of the European side of Constantinople and was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II around 1450. The passage through the Bosphorus is shown in great detail, with all castles and fortifications illustrated along the way. The surrounding countryside, along with the roads, villages, and topography are also depicted. A key at bottom right identifies the Jewish, Greek, Catholic, and Turkish cemeteries shown throughout the map. A rare map of this important passageway, published by Francios Joseph Maire, an Austrian geographer and publisher.

References:

Condition: A

A clean and bright example, issued folding on sturdy paper with a small hole at a fold intersection and a previous owner's stamp (D. Hans-Peter Kosac) just below the title.

Estimate: $600 - $750

Sold for: $850

Closed on 9/13/2017

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