A fine and clean copy of the map of the coast of Guyana from "the Cedid Atlas Tercumesi".
The third image uploaded for this very listing is the copy of the same map which the Library of Congress possesses. It is for comparison purposes only, to give an idea to the prospective buyer about the condition of the map listed here.
Cedid Atlas ("New Atlas") was the first modern atlas in the Muslim world, printed and published in 1803 in Istanbul, then the capital of the Ottoman Empire. The atlas was created by translating and adapting maps from William Faden's General Atlas and the full title of the atlas reads as Cedid Atlas Tercumesi (meaning, literally, "A Translation of a New Atlas") and in most libraries outside Turkey, it is recorded and referenced accordingly.
Although manuscripts and hand-drawn maps were widely available throughout the Muslim world, the massive printing of books started only in 1729 by Ibrahim Muteferrika and the Cedid Atlas could only be published in 1803 by Muderris Abdurrahman Efendi in a style based on European sources.
From a point of view of art, the atlas is notable for the color of the maps as well as the beauty of the script on the maps.
The Cedid Atlas was published in parallel with the developments of the Ottoman Empire's Nizam-i Cedid, the "New-Order" or the "New System" ("Cedid" means "new" and "Nizam" means "system", "regime", or "order") and its title-name reflects this clearly. The atlas was new in terms of cartographical knowledge and well suited to the new system which tried to introduce new institutions into the Ottoman Empire while trying to replace existing ones with contemporary counterparts from the West. Introduced by the ruling padishah (the sultan) of the Ottoman Empire, Selim III, the "New-Order" included a series of reforms which mainly modernized and changed the structure of the then existing Ottoman army and changed the administrative structure of the Empire. It was an effort to catch up with technical, military, economic, and administrative achievements of the West against which the Ottoman Empire was losing grounds since the 17th century. New military and engineering schools were established and governmental units related with the foreign relations and affairs were re-organized to align with the new system. For these schools, governmental units, and the wholly re-organized army reformed according to the European practice, a new understanding and applications of geography of the standards of the West were necessary and the Cedid Atlas was translated and printed for this purpose.
Only 50 copies of this atlas (measuring 36 cm x 53 cm) were printed at the press. A copy was presented to Selim III; several copies were also presented to the high-ranking officials of the Empire, some were reserved for the library of Muhendishane (military engineering school of the time), and the remaining were reserved for sale. However, during the "Alemdar Vakasi", an uprising of the janissaries in Istanbul during November 15–18, 1808, a fire at the warehouse of the press destroyed an unknown (unaccounted) number of the copies reserved for sale. Based on several estimates and accounting for the single maps (torn-out from bound volumes of the atlas) sold or being sold worldwide, it is believed that a maximum of 20 complete examples could be present in libraries or in private collections whereas some sources suggest that there exist only 10 complete and intact copies in the world.
AS SUCH, IT IS ONE OF THE RAREST PRINTED ATLASES OF HISTORICAL VALUE.
1803, 1 of the 50 OTTOMAN "NEW ATLAS/CEDID ATLAS" MAP OF COAST OF GUYANA RRRRR
PleaSe study the imAge(s) carefully to deterMine the condition of this (these) vintage item(s), as it (they) may not be in perfect condition. It (They) may contain wrinkles, cracks, and possibly even tears dUE to its (their) age and how it was (they were) handLed before it (they) got to us. A scanner may interpret colors and contrast differently than human eyes will, so it is possible that the actual photograph(s) may be slightly darker or lighter in person.
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Condition DescriptionThe lot IS sold in the condition it is in at the tiMe of sAle. The condItion description is provided to assist the prospective buyer with assessing the condition of the Lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition description for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition description for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition description for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot But thE proSpectIve buyer should note that the lot May havE other faults not expressly referred to in the condition description for the lot or shown in the online iMages of the lot. The condItion descRiption MAy not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition description is a statement of opinion only. For tHat reason, the condition description is not an altemative to taking the prospective bUyer's own professional advice regarding The cOndition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDINg THIS ONlINE CONDITION DESCRIPTON OR ANY DISCuSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.