North and South America 1907 Ottoman Script Map by Mehmed Eşref USA

1907 Ottoman Pocket Map of America From “Umum-i Vilayet-i Şahane’yi Havi Küçük Atlas” by Mehmed Eşref

Description:
This is an original 1907 (Hijri 1325) Ottoman map of America. It was published in the Umum-i Vilayet-i Şahane’yi Havi Küçük Atlas, authored by Mehmed Eşref. This rare atlas included a 32-page brochure in Ottoman script and 128 maps (some composed of two parts), printed on thick paper and loosely inserted after the text. Many of the maps of certain areas worldwide are the first and possibly only Ottoman maps of those regions.

Designed as a pocket-sized educational atlas, this map was part of a compact reference used by students, scholars, and possibly civil servants during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. It reflects the geographical understanding of the Americas as taught within the Empire in the early 20th century, including country borders, place names, and regional divisions all labeled in Ottoman script.

The small format, historical context, and non-Western viewpoint make this map a fascinating example of how global geography was studied in the late Ottoman world.

Features:

• Date: 1907 (Hijri 1325)
• Language: Ottoman Turkish
• Source: Umum-i Vilayet-i Şahane’yi Havi Küçük Atlas
• Author: Mehmed Eşref
• Format: Pocket-size printed atlas page
• Dimensions: 14.5x10.3cm
• Condition: Excellent, Slight age-toning

This is a rare and educationally significant artifact of Ottoman cartography, offering a distinct and historical perspective on the Americas from a late imperial lens ideal for collectors of antique maps, Ottoman educational materials, or world geography from non-Western sources.