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1921 Bartholomew Map of Central and Southern Africa
SouthAfrica-bartholomew-1921$180.00
Title
Central and Southern Africa by J. G. Bartholomew, LL. D., F.R.G.S.
1921 (undated) 37.75 x 30.5 in (95.885 x 77.47 cm) 1 : 5000000
1921 (undated) 37.75 x 30.5 in (95.885 x 77.47 cm) 1 : 5000000
Description
This large, bright, folding 1921 J. G. Bartholomew map of Central and Southern Africa.
A Closer Look
The map presents the region mainly south of the Equator displaying the borders following the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I (1914 - 1918). Coverage embraces continental Africa from the border of Nigeria and Cameroon to the Cape of Good Hope. In the north, parts of Chad, Sudan, and Abyssinia are depicted. The Belgian Congo and Angola are identified. British holdings predominate: The Kenya Colony is well-detailed, and the former German colonies are replaced by Tanganyika Territory and South West Africa, per the Treaty of Versailles. Northern and Southern Rhodesia are contiguous with Bechuanaland and South Africa proper. Portuguese East Africa did not gain independence until the 1970s. Several inset maps appear at the bottom of the sheet: one reduced map of the whole continent notes the sailing routes between Europe, Africa, and Mauritius, with the distances between key cities. Other insets present city plans of Lourenc̀§o Marques, Durban, East London, and Port Elizabeth. Two insets are committed to Cape Town.A Likely Tour
Old fountain-pen marks circle the town of Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. On the map, these both fall within Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). In the 1920s, Victoria Falls was a famous destination, with tours regularly transporting tourists there. Bulawayo represented an important rail junction linking the Falls to Cape Town, so a prospective visitor might have noted these locations on a map to plan or commemorate a journey.Publication History and Census
This map was published first by the Bartholomew firm around 1907 and appeared in several editions prior to the First World War. This example appeared in 1921, corrected to reflect the loss of Germany's colonie. The general inset of Africa was added at this time. We see about 20 examples in institutional collections.Cartographer
The Bartholomew Family (fl. c. 1810 - 1920) is clan of map publishers active in London through the 19th century. They represent one of the great names in British cartography. The cartographic story of the Bartholomew family begins with George Bartholomew (January, 8 1784 - October 23, 1871, active from 1797), an engraver in the employ of the Daniel Lizars firm of Edinburgh. George was the first of six generations in the Bartholomew map-making dynasty. It was his son, John Bartholomew Sr. (1805 - April 9, 1861) who ultimately founded John Bartholomew and Sons in 1828. The John Bartholomew firm produced thousands of maps and rose to become one of the largest and most prolific cartography firms in Scotland. John Sr. was succeeded by his son, also John Bartholomew Jr. (1831-93). John George Bartholomew (1860-1920), son of John Bartholomew (1831-93) took control of the firm at its height. John George was a charter member of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and supported the creation of a National Institute of Geography - a good idea that never took off. John George is also reliably attributed to be the first to bring the term "Antarctica" into popular usage as a denominator for the Southern Continent. In recognition of his work, John George was awarded a warrant from the king and often used the title "Cartographer to the King" on his imprint. Among his friends and admirers he was referred to as the "Prince of Cartography". John (Ian) Bartholomew (1890 - 1962) continued the family business and oversaw publication of the Times Survey Atlas of the World in 1922 and the Mid Century Edition of the Time Atlas of the World from 1955 - 1960. John Christoper Bartholomew (1923 - 2008) continued the family business into a fifth generation and was fascinated by the natural sciences. He spearheaded the publication of many of the most detailed and popular maps of the last century. His brother Robert, a trained printer, became production director. Another brother, Peter, an accountant, started as a managing director and eventually became executive chairman. The John Bartholomew firm has been part of the HarperCollins family of publishers since 1989. The vast archive of maps and atlases produced by the Bartholomew family has since been transferred to the National Library of Scotland where it is currently in the cataloguing process. More by this mapmaker...
Condition
Very good. Mounted on linen as issued. Minor wear along original fold lines. Two old pen notations circling Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Else an excellent, bright example.
References
OCLC 980500514.