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Description

The Duke of Arcos Copy of Aaron Arrowsmith's Map of Southeast Asia, The Philippines & South China Sea

Fine example of Aaron Arrowsmith's rare 4-sheet map of the East Indies, updated to 1824, with the bookplate of the Duke of Arcos: /gallery/enlarge/49928a

The map shows the coasts of the Philippines, China, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sumatra, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Spice Islands and West Papua. Depth shown by bathymetric soundings.

Title set at upper left sheet, with a graticule border, grid at one degree intervals, numerous coastal soundings, wind directions, and shoals indicated. The map includes details of the best clipper routes to China at various months of the year, as well as the routes of various English navigators, including Cook.

The map was first issued in 1800, with revisions in 1809, 1812 and this 1824 state. We note the following significant changes from the 1812 edition:

Northwest Sheet

  • The western coast of Tanasserim and Achipelago of Mergui and neighboring islands are revised
  • The western coast of Malaysia from Phuket and to the south is completely revised, as are the islands
  • The Chinese Coastline, south of Hong Kong, has been revised
  • Additional place names added on Hainan Island

Southwest Sheet

  • The coast of western half of Java is completely revised and significant detail is added for the first time in the interior
  • The shape of Penang Island and the west coast of Malaysia are revised
  • The shape of Singapore, Batang, Bintang, Galat Table and Lingen Islansd have all been revised, along with the contiguous southern tip of Malaysia, opposite the coast of Singapore
  • The coast around Tanjong Booroo (Sumatra) is revised
  • The coast of Banka is significantly revised

Northeast Sheet

  • The Shape and details in Palawan Island (Philippines) is significantly revised
  • The North coast of Mindanao Island is revised
  • The Bashee or Sive Islands and Babuyane Islands are improved
  • Northern Tip of Borneo with new place names

Southeast Sheet

  • Eastern Part of Java extensively updated, with detail in the interior added
  • The shape of Bali Island is revised
  • Coast of Timor revised
  • Several lengthy notes added
  • West coast of Gilolo revised
  • Coast of Waigeo Island revised

The map presents an impressive four sheet chart of the navigation routes through the southeast Asian archipelago to China and the Philippines. Arrowsmith was a very inventive and accurate mapmaker. This map may have been commissioned specifically for an Asian trading company and was certainly aimed at English sea captains and companies trading to China and southeast Asia.

The detail on depth soundings, winds, obstructions and general accuracy is a trademark of Arrowsmith's fine work. Arrowsmith moved to London in 1770 and was employed by both Faden and John Cary. In 1790, he set up on his own and made his reputation with his 8 sheet world map on Mercator's projection, 1790. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the Hydrographical office of the Royal Navy sent its surveying ships Sulphur, Samarang, Herald and others to the region that accurate nautical charts became available.

This is one of Arrowsmith scarcer charts. We note one example of the 1824 edition in a dealer catalog (Shapero, 2004, Item 219).

Condition Description
Minor 4-sheets, each on a separate sheet of linen. With original slip case and chemise with the book plate of the Duque de Arcos. Front panel of Chemise detached.
Aaron Arrowsmith Biography

The Arrowsmiths were a cartographic dynasty which operated from the late-eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth. The family business was founded by Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823), who was renowned for carefully prepared and meticulously updated maps, globes, and charts. He created many maps that covered multiple sheets and which were massive in total size. His spare yet exacting style was recognized around the world and mapmakers from other countries, especially the young country of the United States, sought his maps and charts as exemplars for their own work.

Aaron Arrowsmith was born in County Durham in 1750. He came to London for work around 1770, where he found employment as a surveyor for the city’s mapmakers. By 1790, he had set up his own shop which specialized in general charts. Arrowsmith had five premises in his career, most of which were located on or near Soho Square, a neighborhood the led him to rub shoulders with the likes of Joseph Banks, the naturalist, and Matthew Flinders, the hydrographer.

Through his business ties and employment at the Hydrographic Office, Arrowsmith made other important relationships with Alexander Dalrymple, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and others entities. In 1810 he became Hydrographer to the Prince of Wales and, in 1820, Hydrographer to the King.

Aaron Arrowsmith died in 1823, whereby the business and title of Hydrographer to the King passed to his sons, Aaron and Samuel, and, later, his nephew, John. Aaron Jr. (1802-1854) was a founder member of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) and left the family business in 1832; instead, he enrolled at Oxford to study to become a minister. Samuel (1805-1839) joined Aaron as a partner in the business and they traded together until Aaron left for the ministry. Samuel died at age 34 in 1839; his brother presided over his funeral. The remaining stock and copper plates were bought at auction by John Arrowsmith, their cousin.

John (1790-1873) operated his own independent business after his uncle, Aaron Arrowsmith Sr., died. After 1839, John moved into the Soho premises of his uncle and cousins. John enjoyed considerable recognition in the geography and exploration community. Like Aaron Jr., John was a founder member of the RGS and would serve as its unofficial cartographer for 43 years. Several geographical features in Australia and Canada are named after him. He carried the title Hydrographer to Queen Victoria. He died in 1873 and the majority of his stock was eventually bought by Edward Stanford, who co-founded Stanford’s map shop, which is still open in Covent Garden, London today.