Lot 307
  • 307

Phelips, Maria Wright

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Six manuscript maps. [c.1782]
  • paper
"A Chart of the English Channel, &c:", (304 x 374mm.), left corner restored; "A Plan and Chart of the Bay of Cadiz and the adjacent Coast", (192 x 262mm.); "A Plan & Chart of the Bay of Gibraltar and the adjacent Coast", (197 x 260mm.); "A Plan and Chart of the Streights, the Bay of Gibraltar, with the opposite Coasts of Spain, and Morocco, in Africa", (388 x 300mm.); "A Sketch of Egypt & The Routes both ancient & Modern from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean", (385 x 235mm.), with grid of latitude and longitude; "A sketch of the Route Across the Great Desert of Arabia From Latichea by Aleppo to Bassora", (355 x 564mm.), with grid of latitude and longitude, small part of lower margin restored
Together 6 manuscript maps, hand-coloured, a few minor repairs and tears

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

A FINE SET OF MANUSCRIPT MAPS, SHOWING THE ROAD FROM LATAKIA TO ALEPPO TO BASRATHE, CADIZ, GIBRALTAR, THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND, AND THE MEDITERRANEAN. The maps are produced by Maria Wright Phelips (c.1730-1793), a Somerset cartographer, who studied the world via periodicals and books. The maps prove to be a great insight into the eighteenth century, showing a strong influence of travel literature and women's growing participation in the realm of geography.  "A Sketch of Egypt.." and "A sketch of the Route Across the Great Desert.." are copied from James Capper's Observations on the Passage to India, published in 1783. Both maps give page numbers from the Weekly Entertainer which ran a review of Capper's book. Phelips dates her route map 1782, but the cited Weekly Entertainer did not exist until 1784. Capper, was an employee of the East India Company (EIC). His book describes a journey from Leghorn to Latakia, then overland to India via Basra which he undertook in 1778. His main aim was to encourage an open route of trade via Suez, so the company would gain a trade and communications network from India to England, via either the Cape of Good Hope, Suez, or Basra.