Ottoman Empire World Map Western and Eastern Hemisphere 1913 Katip Çelebi
World Map in Double Hemisphere Form from Kâtib Çelebi's "Tuhfetü'l-Kibâr fî Esfâri'l-Bihâr" (1913 Edition)
Description:
This Ottoman Turkish world map presents the Earth in the classic double-hemisphere format, depicting the Western and Eastern Hemispheres in two circular projections. Printed in black and white, the map measures 32.7 × 24.5 cm and originates from the 1329 AH (1913) edition of "Tuhfetü'l-Kibâr fî Esfâri'l-Bihâr," published in Istanbul by the Matbaa-i Bahriye (Naval Printing House).
The map illustrates the known world according to the geographical conventions of the late Ottoman period, with continents, oceans, and major geographical features labeled in Ottoman Turkish. The balanced twin-hemisphere composition reflects one of the most widely adopted cartographic styles of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, combining scientific geography with traditional Ottoman printing aesthetics. As part of the Naval Printing House edition, the map demonstrates the Ottoman Empire's continued engagement with modern geographical knowledge while preserving its own linguistic and scholarly traditions.
The source work is of exceptional historical importance. "Tuhfetü'l-Kibâr fî Esfâri'l-Bihâr" ("A Gift to the Great Concerning Naval Campaigns") was written in 1656 by the renowned Ottoman scholar Kâtib Çelebi and is widely regarded as the first comprehensive Ottoman book devoted to naval history and maritime organization. The work chronicles major Ottoman naval expeditions, conquests, and the careers of the Kapudan Pashas (Grand Admirals) from the foundation of the Ottoman state through the mid-seventeenth century.
The book was printed only twice during the Ottoman period: first in 1141 AH and later in 1329 AH (1913). This map comes from the second and final Ottoman edition, making it particularly desirable for collectors of Ottoman naval history and cartography.
Beyond its geographical content, the map represents the Ottoman Empire's efforts to integrate contemporary global geography into its educational and naval publications. Issued by the Naval Printing House, it served both as a practical geographical reference and as an example of the Empire's commitment to scientific cartography during its final decades. Its elegant double-hemisphere composition also makes it one of the most visually appealing maps included in the volume.
For collectors, this is an attractive example of late Ottoman printed cartography, combining historical significance, geographical scholarship, and decorative appeal. It is especially desirable for collectors of Ottoman maps, world maps, maritime history, and rare printed books.
Key Features:
• Type: Ottoman printed world map
• Title: World Map in Double Hemisphere Form from "Tuhfetü'l-Kibâr fî Esfâri'l-Bihâr"
• Author of Source Work: Kâtib Çelebi
• Source Edition: 1329 AH (1913) Ottoman edition
• Publication Place: Istanbul
• Printer: Matbaa-i Bahriye (Naval Printing House)
• Language: Ottoman Turkish
• Dimensions: 32.7 × 24.5 cm
• Color: Black and white
• Geographic Coverage: The world, presented in Western and Eastern Hemisphere projections
• Special Feature: Classical double-hemisphere world map with Ottoman Turkish geographical nomenclature
• Historical Context: Published as part of the final Ottoman edition of Kâtib Çelebi's celebrated work on naval history, reflecting the Empire's adoption of modern geographical cartography
• Rarity: From the second and final Ottoman-era printing of Kâtib Çelebi's famous work
• Collectible Significance: Highly desirable for collectors of Ottoman cartography, antique world maps, maritime history, and rare printed books.