Afrique réduite d’après celle d’Arrowsmith, Champion 1828

📜 Description
Map depicting the entire African continent, constructed on a regular grid system with meridians and parallels evenly engraved across the surface. The coastline is rendered with a continuous and precise engraved line, clearly articulating the principal gulfs and promontories, particularly along the Gulf of Guinea, the Horn of Africa, and the Mediterranean coast. The hydrographic network is shown through linear and branching river systems, among which the Nile and Niger are distinctly identifiable, while the interior presents a structured yet selective distribution of toponymy.

The title is contained within an oval cartouche located in the lower left, bearing the inscription “Afrique, réduite d’après celle d’Arrowsmith”, accompanied by editorial notes. The cartographic structure is dominated by the geographic grid, a defining element of the map’s scientific framework, reflecting a methodological approach derived from British cartography. Territorial divisions are emphasized with colored boundary lines, while the toponymy, in French, distinguishes regions, rivers, and principal settlements according to a clear hierarchical system.

📚 Historical-Artistic Note
Aaron Arrowsmith stands among the leading figures of late 18th- and early 19th-century scientific cartography, renowned for the accuracy of his maps based on the most up-to-date exploratory sources. This engraved reduction, executed by J. N. Champion and A. R. Fremin for the Parisian publishing context, reflects the dissemination of British cartographic models across continental Europe.

Compared to contemporary production, this map distinguishes itself through the clarity of its grid-based structure and the rational organization of geographic information, marking an evolution toward a more systematic and scientific cartographic language. The French adaptation preserves the essential framework of Arrowsmith’s model while presenting it in a concise and accessible engraved form.

📖 Bibliography
See R.V. Tooley, “Maps and Map-Makers”
See P. van der Krogt, “Koeman’s Atlantes Neerlandici”
See studies on scientific cartography of the late 18th and early 19th centuries

🧾 Technical Sheet
Author: Aaron Arrowsmith (model)
Title: “Afrique, réduite d’après celle d’Arrowsmith”
Place of publication: Paris
Publisher: H. Langlois
Date: 1828
Technique: Copper engraving (etching)
Subject: African continent
Dimensions: sheet 61 × 79.5 cm; plate 59 × 77.5 cm
Condition: good overall condition

🔍 Condition Report
Map dissected into multiple sections and laid on linen, consistent with period practice. Visible wear along the segment joins and light handling marks. Margins regular. The engraved surface remains clear and well preserved overall.