1750 Schley Map of Ormus, Persian Gulf

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Title:    Ormus oude Jerun. ⁄ 't Eiland Ormus, of Jerun.

Description:   

I travelled next from the land of 'Oman to the land of Hurmuz. Hurmuz is a city on the sea-coast, and is also called Mughistan. Opposite it in the sea is New Hurmuz, and between them is a sea passage of three farsakhs. We came to New Hurmuz, which is an island whose city is called Jarawn. -Ibn Batutta

This is Schley's magnificent map of the island city of Hormuz. This strategically important Strait of Hormuz guards the entrance to the Persian Gulf. For centuries Hormuz had been an important stopping point in the shipping lanes from India to Arabia. In the course of its long history, Hormuz was, at various times, an independent state, part of the Arabia, part of Persia and subject to Portugal. Today it is part of Iran. Ormus is mentioned frequently in literature for its legendary wealth and beauty. It is named in the works of Milton, Coleridge, Mandeville, and Ibn Batutta, to name but a few.

Our map shows the island and the nearby Persian coast. Offers stunning detail of the city of Jerun, including orchards, the Palace of the King, the church of St. Lucia, various streets, and the great Fortress. No less than 16 sailing ships ply the waters. Surrounded by a stupendous decorative border with an architectural motif.
Engraved by Schley under the supervision of J. Bellin for issue as plate no. 31 in the c. 1750 edition of Provost's L`Histoire Generale des Voyages.

Date:    c. 1750 (undated)

Source:    Provost, A., L`Histoire Generale des Voyages, c. 1750.

References:    Dunn, Ross E., The Adventures of Ibn Battuta: A Muslim Traveler of the 14th Century, Croom Helm, London & Sydney, 1986, p. 131 and p. 136 n. 41 p. 268 and p. 288 n. 3.

Cartographer:    Jacob Van der Schley (1715 - 1779) was a prominent Dutch engraver and draftsman based out of Amsterdam. Schley apprenticed under portrait engraver Bernard Picart, whose style he imitated. He is said to have completed several of Picart's portraits following his master's death. While Schley is primarily known for his work as a portraitist and illustrator, he also has a considerable cartographic corpus. He is known to have worked with Bellin, Hondt, and Provost, among others. Click here for a list of rare maps from Jacob Van der Schley.

Cartographer:    Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703 - 1772) is one of the most important cartographers of the 18th century. With a career spanning some 50 years, Bellin is an important transitional cartographer. His long career as "hydrographer" and "Ingénieur Hydrographe" to the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine resulted in the completion of hundreds of high quality nautical charts of practically everywhere in the world. Bellin's work focuses on accuracy and tends to be less decorative than the earlier 17th and 18th century work of predecessors such as Homann. In addition to numerous works published during his lifetime, many of his maps were published posthumously. He was succeeded in his position by student Rigobert Bonne. Click here for a list of rare maps from Jacques-Nicolas Bellin.

Size:   Printed area measures 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.32 centimeters)

Condition:    Very good condition. Some marginal toning outside printed area.

Code:   Ormus-schley-1750 (Necessary for phone inquiries: 646-320-8650)