Carte de la Syrie et autres Provinces, formant aujourd'hui partie de l'Empire Ottoman
Cartographer / Artist: Louis Brion de la Tour
Date Created: c. 1777
Medium: Copperplate engraving with hand coloring
Physical Dimensions: 14.8 × 9.6 inches
Geographic Scope: Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Ottoman Empire
Archive Catalog ID: fp7-img-2094
Provenance: The Dr. Joseph R. Rubini Archive
Collection: Central European & Ottoman Imperial Atlases
This detailed 18th-century French map by Louis Brion de la Tour depicts the Levant, Mesopotamia, and neighboring regions under Ottoman rule. The cartographic scope encompasses modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus, southeastern Turkey, and western Iran. Ancient and eighteenth-century geographic nomenclature are integrated throughout, detailing ancient historical regions such as Cilicia, Osroene, Adiabene, and Sophene alongside contemporary Ottoman territorial divisions. Graphically, the map is rendered via fine copperplate engraving with original hand-colored regional borders. A text panel in the upper right contains the title and distance scales measured in French leagues and caravan hours. At the bottom, a Remarque note outlines the cartographer's method of preserving ancient place-names alongside modern toponyms, reflecting Enlightenment-era European scholarly interest in biblical geography and classical antiquity.
Condition: Light age toning and minor handling smudges along the wide outer margins.. Early ink manuscript date notation ('1777') centered above the upper neatline.. Strong paper sheet with crisp engraved impressions and vibrant original outline hand coloring.




