British Isles 1867 Ottoman Atlas Map Ottoman Empire United Kingdom Scotland Ireland
Ottoman Map of the British Isles from Sağir Coğrafya Atlası by Mustafa Hami Pasha – 1284 AH (1867)
Description:
This original Ottoman Turkish map depicts the British Isles and was published in 1284 AH (1867 AD) as part of the Sağir Coğrafya Atlası, authored by Mustafa Hami Pasha and printed in Istanbul. Measuring 23.5 × 19.3 cm, the map is presented in color and illustrates the territories of Britain (England), Scotland, and Ireland, offering a clear representation of the islands and their geographic layout in the North Atlantic.
The atlas itself is considered among the earliest examples of Ottoman educational cartography, created with the purpose of introducing modern geographic knowledge to students. At a time when the Ottoman Empire was actively reforming its educational system, works like this played a crucial role in bridging traditional learning with contemporary European scientific approaches.
Mustafa Hami Pasha, originally a military physician (Mirliva) and a graduate of the Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane, was a prolific and versatile Ottoman intellectual. He authored more than thirty works across disciplines such as medicine, military science, and education. In preparing this atlas, he drew extensively from French geographical sources, adapting Western cartographic techniques into an Ottoman educational framework. This synthesis of knowledge is clearly visible in the structure, clarity, and geographic scope of the map.
Beyond its educational function, this map reflects the Ottoman perspective on one of the most influential maritime powers of the 19th century. The clear depiction of England, Scotland, and Ireland highlights the political and geographic unity of the British Isles during a period of global British influence. For collectors, this piece offers both visual clarity and historical depth, representing how an Ottoman scholar interpreted the geography of a leading European power.
Key Features:
• Type: Ottoman printed map
• Title: British Isles
• Source: Sağir Coğrafya Atlası
• Author: Mustafa Hami Pasha
• Date: 1284 AH (1867 AD)
• Place of Publication: Istanbul
• Language: Ottoman Turkish (Arabic script)
• Region Depicted: Britain (England), Scotland, and Ireland
• Color: Original colored map
• Dimensions: 23.5 × 19.3 cm
• Cartographic Context: Early Ottoman educational atlas influenced by French geographic sources
• Historical Significance: Reflects Ottoman geographical understanding of the British Isles during the height of British global influence
• Collectible Significance: Rare Ottoman map illustrating the British Isles within a 19th-century educational framework