South Africa (Cape Colony)

Mid-nineteenth century map of South Africa. Annotation provides the population of the 'only three large towns of the cape colony'. At the bottom margin is an unusual section view of the mountains from Cape Point to southern Natal. 

Small maps played an important role in the education of Victorian-era school children and families. This uncommon map was map No. 29 from the then popular but relatively expensive Dower's School Atlas, which included for maps and was sold for 12 shillings. It was published in c. 1860. The map displays a short-lived anomaly, locating the Division of Victoria in today's Northern Cape instead of adjacent to British Kaffraria that was created after the War of the Axe (1847).

John Dower followed his father as an engraver, this map engraved on steel. Between 1850 and 1860 he worked from Pentonville in London for William Orr and Company. As did numerous publishers at the time, Orr published from 2 Amen Corner in Paternoster Row, London.

The map is on firm paper; the is a professionally repaired 0.5 cm tear on the right margin, outside the map border.