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Ottoman Map of Germany and Austria-Hungary from Sağir Coğrafya Atlası by Mustafa Hami Pasha – 1284 AH (1867)

Description:

This original Ottoman Turkish map depicts Germany and Austria-Hungary 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 × 19.3 cm, the map presents a detailed and colored representation of Central Europe, including Prussia and the various German states, as indicated beneath the main title. The western borders of the Russian Empire are also visible, situating the region within a broader geopolitical context.

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 piece stands as a rare and insightful document illustrating how a 19th-century Ottoman scholar perceived Europe during a period of political complexity and transformation. The inclusion of Prussia and multiple German states reflects the pre-unification landscape of Germany, while the depiction of Austria-Hungary highlights one of the major imperial powers of the era. For collectors, this map offers both visual appeal and strong historical context, capturing Central Europe at a pivotal moment in its political evolution.

Key Features:

• Type: Ottoman printed map

• Title: Germany and Austria-Hungary

• Source: Sağir Coğrafya Atlası

• Author: Mustafa Hami Pasha

• Date: 1284 AH (1867 AD)

• Place of Publication: Istanbul

• Language: Ottoman Turkish (Arabic script)

• Region Depicted: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Prussia, and the western borders of the Russian Empire

• Map Details: Includes Prussia and other German states as noted under the title

• Color: Original colored map

• Dimensions: 23 × 19.3 cm

• Cartographic Context: Early Ottoman educational atlas influenced by French geographic sources

• Historical Significance: Reflects the political structure of Central Europe prior to German unification

• Collectible Significance: Rare Ottoman perspective on 19th-century European geopolitics