Have you got a rare map of the United States of North America by a Welshman?

Maps are prized from around the world for all kinds of reasons, their beauty, historical significance, the stories they tell even the mapmaker or cartographer can play a role in an individuals reason for collecting! If Welsh map engravers are your thing then the work of Thomas Bowen will be of interest.

This map is of the "United States of North America. Including the British and Spanish Territories, carefully laid down agreeable to the Treaty of 1784." the work of Welshman Thomas Bowen. Engraved for Bankes's New system of universal geography, published by royal authority.

Thomas Bowen (1749-1790) was a Welsh engraver of maps and charts. He was the son of Emanuel Bowen (1720-17670) the map engraver to George II of England and Louis XV of France. Bowen is highly regarded for producing some of the largest, most detailed and accurate maps of his era. These highly attractive maps were also worked on by his son Thomas.

In spite of his royal patronage and renown,  Emanuel Bowen like many cartographers of his day, died in poverty. His son Thomas continued on the business however a similar outcome befell him and he died in Clerkenwell Workhouse in 1790.
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Finding maps with the name of Welshman Thomas Bowen noted as engraver or geographer is not impossible but finding this edition of the United states of North America is a little bit special.  So if maps of North America are of interest to you or you have a hankering for Welsh mapmakers this may just be what you're looking for!

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This map is currently available, more info HERE