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Map of the Administrative Divisions of the Republic of Turkey from the Revised Maps Series (Second Edition, 1926)

Description:

This large and detailed Ottoman Turkish map is titled "Map Showing the Administrative Divisions of the Republic of Turkey from the Revised Maps Series" and was published in May 1926 as the second edition by İkbal Kitaphanesi on Babıâli Street, Istanbul. The publisher is identified as Hüseyin. Printed in the Ottoman alphabet, the map measures an impressive 100 × 67.5 cm and represents one of the earliest cartographic depictions of the newly established Republic of Turkey.

Despite depicting the Republic of Turkey, the map is entirely printed in Ottoman Turkish, reflecting the transitional period before the Turkish Alphabet Reform of 1928, when the Arabic-based Ottoman script was officially replaced by the Latin alphabet. As such, the map represents a unique intersection between the final phase of Ottoman written culture and the formative years of the modern Turkish Republic.

The map covers the entirety of the Republic of Turkey while also extending to neighboring regions including Cyprus, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, and the area corresponding to present-day Israel. Administrative boundaries, provincial divisions, transportation routes, settlements, and geographical features are presented in considerable detail, making the map an important historical source for understanding the political geography of the Near East during the early Republican period.

Published only a few years after the founding of the Republic in 1923, the map documents the new administrative organization of Turkey while preserving the Ottoman cartographic tradition in both language and presentation. It therefore occupies a distinctive place in Turkish cartographic history, illustrating the transformation from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic before the adoption of the Latin alphabet fundamentally changed official printing and publishing.

Its large format, detailed content, and early publication date make this map particularly desirable for collectors of Turkish and Ottoman cartography. It serves not only as a geographical reference but also as an important historical artifact documenting one of the most significant transitional periods in modern Turkish history.

For collectors and researchers, this is an exceptional example of early Republican cartography printed in Ottoman Turkish, combining historical significance, visual appeal, and documentary value.

Key Features:

• Type: Early Republican printed map

• Title: Map Showing the Administrative Divisions of the Republic of Turkey from the Revised Maps Series

• Edition: Second Edition

• Publication Date: May 1926

• Publication Place: Babıâli Street, Istanbul

• Publisher: İkbal Kitaphanesi (Proprietor: Hüseyin)

• Language: Ottoman Turkish

• Dimensions: 100 × 67.5 cm

• Color: Original color map

• Geographic Coverage: Republic of Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, and the region of present-day Israel

• Historical Context: Published shortly after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey and before the Turkish Alphabet Reform of 1928, preserving Ottoman script during a major period of national transition

• Cartographic Significance: Documents the early administrative divisions of the Republic while reflecting the continuity of Ottoman cartographic traditions

• Collectible Significance: Highly desirable for collectors of Ottoman and early Republican maps, Turkish administrative history, and historical cartography

• Condition: Minor tears are present along some edges and corners; these can be seen in the photographs.