Catalog Archive
Auction 189, Lot 606

"[Cloth Missionary Map] Japan",

Subject: Japan

Period: 1898 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
53 x 64.8 inches
134.6 x 164.6 cm
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This scarce map of Japan was issued by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM), one of the first American-based Christian missionary organization. Founded in 1810, the ABCFM became the largest American missionary organizations by the end of the 19th century with missions spanning the globe including Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and North America. The huge map was intended to be hung for instruction and presents all of Japan with basic details including place names, rivers, and railroads. There is a large inset of Central Japan at upper left, locating the cities of Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka. This unusual map was issued at a time of increasing tensions between the United States and Japan due to territorial interests in the region and economic opportunities with China. Lithographed by B. Meisel.

References:

Condition: A

The image is crisp and the cloth is mostly clean and bright with a few minor stains at bottom right. Two of the eyelets at top used for hanging the map are missing.

Estimate: $500 - $650

Sold for: $300

Closed on 9/14/2022

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