1928 Harold H. Brown Pictorial Map of the Holy Land / Israel / Palestine w/ Sinai

This is a 1928 Harold Haven Brown pictorial map of the Holy Land / Israel and/or Palestine, including the Sinai, and parts of Egypte, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The map depicts the region from the Nile River to Ammon (Syria) and from Tripolis (Tripoli), Lebanon to the Red Sea.

Sites of Biblical Importance

Wonderfully illustrated, Brown relates key events from the Bible, including the site of where David slew Goliath, Jonah's point of embarkation at Jaffa, where John the Baptist preached and baptized, the site of Aaron's death, and the location where Esau settled. The Israelites' flight from Egypt and their subsequent wanderings is traced by a red line and important events that took place during the journey are noted. A green text box near the Sea of Galilee summarizes Jesus's life and work geographically, while yet another text box explains how the Twelve Tribes of Israel are referenced and that the dotted lines present on the map mark the boundaries between the lands of the tribes. A vignette near the Egyptian border depicts the flight of Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus fleeing to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod.

Secular and Historical References

Not every reference included by Brown are strictly Biblical in nature. Cities and towns throughout the region are identified, with Jerusalem, Jericho, Damascus, Suez, and Cairo each meriting special attention with the inclusion of a small illustration to mark their location. A view of the pyramids and the sphinx is included near Cairo as well. Ancient caravan routes from Egypt to Palestine and from Mecca to Cairo are traced by blue lines and feature illustrations of caravans consisting of traders and their camels making the trek. Modern transportation routes are highlighted as well, with both the Medina and Damascus Railway, and the railroad between Egypt and Palestine illustrated. References are made to the prowess of ancient Phoenician sailors and traders and the renown of dyes, glass, and metal work from Tyre. A shield of the Knights Templar situated in the upper right corner visually invokes the First Crusade, which is noted to have traveled through the region from Asia Minor in 1097. In the same vicinity is a reference to the importance of Lebanese forests in the supply of timber to build Phoenician ships and the temples and palaces built by David and Solomon. A text box situated along the right border identifies the six different ships illustrated on the map, identifying them as Egyptian, Phoenician, Roman, a Crusader's ship, an Egyptian river boat, and a modern steamship meant to reference the Suez Canal.

Four insets are situated in the bottom third of the map. The first, along the right border, is a topographical map of Palestine highlighting the varied elevation of the region. The second and third, on the lower left, focus on Jerusalem. The smaller of the two is a plan of the Old City of Jerusalem and labels sites within its walls and just outside. The second, larger inset is a map of Jerusalem and its environs. The final inset is a profile view of Palestine providing the viewer with an understanding of the differences in terrain found in the region, from the Dead Sea, which is below sea level, to Mt. Hermon, rising to well above 7000 feet. The whole is surrounded by a decorative border featuring 'tile' bearing illustrations of important crops and vegetation and the symbols of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and drawn by Harold Haven Brown and published by the R.R. Bowker Company in 1928. Only one example is recorded in the OCLC and is part of the David Rumsey Map Collection at Stanford University.