Bowen, Emanuel “A New & Accurate Map of the Islands of Newfoundland, Cape Briton, St. John and Anticosta… with the Neighbouring Countries of Nova Scotia, Canada &c. . . .”

Emanuel Bowen. “A New & Accurate Map of the Islands of Newfoundland, Cape Briton, St. John and Anticosta… with the Neighbouring Countries of Nova Scotia, Canada &c. . . .”  From Complete Atlas or Distinct View of the Known World.   

London: E. Bowen, 1744.   13 ¾ x 16 ¾.  Engraving.  Very good condition.  

Emanuel Bowen and his son Thomas (born when his father was 53) were both map printers and sellers.  As engraver to George II of Britain and Louis XV of France, Emanuel Bowen worked in London from 1714 onwards. Some of the maps were the largest produced in their times and doubly unusual for Bowen’s inclusion of historical and topographical information of amusing and fascinating note.  He often joined with other printers to complete large works; for example Thomas Kitchin’s The Large English Atlas.  Sadly, royal appointments and seeming prosperity were not enough to prevent Emanuel’s death in poverty, a legacy which he bequeathed to Thomas, who  continuing the business died in Clerkenwell workhouse in 1790.  Through all the vicissitudes of his life, however, Emanuel Bowen’s maps continued at a very high level of quality, as is exampled in this detailed map.