Antique Map of the Two Branches of the Nile Delta, Niebuhr, 1776

This is an original antique copper engraved map from 1776 of the two main branches of the Nile through the Delta. The title is engraved on a rock framed with plants at the lower left: NILI BRACHIA AMBO MAJORA cum Oppidis et Vicis in utraque ripa sitis., meaning the two greater branches of the Nile, with the towns and villages lying on either bank.

The river runs up from MEMPHIS ruin and Sakâra at the bottom, past KÂHIRA s. MISR, and divides into two branches that reach the sea, lettered MARE MEDITERRANEUM, at RASCHÎD on the left and DAMIÂT on the right. Both banks are lined with the names of towns and villages, and the land between is lettered DELTA. Province names are given in Latin letters and in Arabic script, among them BAHEIRE, GARBÎE, MENUFÎE, MANSURA and KALIUBÎE. SCANDERÎE s. ALEXANDRIA lies at the far left, and the Pyramides are marked near the bottom.

Below the title are two scales, Milliaria Germanica 15 in Gradu and Leucae Gallicae 25 in Gradu, and a table headed Latitudo Locorum giving the latitudes of ten places from Scanderîe to Damiât. A key at the upper left, SIGN. EXPLIC., marks towns, villages and forts. The credit Th. Koning, fec. is lettered under the lower left corner. The top margin is trimmed close to the border and no plate number shows on this sheet.

The plate comes from the first volume of Voyage en Arabie & en d'autres Pays circonvoisins, the French translation of Carsten Niebuhr's account, its title page reading TOME PREMIER. Traduit de l'Allemand. A AMSTERDAM, chez S. J. BAALDE. A UTRECHT, chez J. VAN SCHOONHOVEN & COMP. MDCCLXXVI. Carsten Niebuhr (1733 to 1815) was a German born surveyor in Danish service and the only member of the Danish expedition to Arabia (1761 to 1767), sent by King Frederick V of Denmark, to return alive. The account was first published in German at Copenhagen; this is the French translation printed in Amsterdam and Utrecht.

The right margin is cut away close to the printed border in its lower part, with a loss at the lower right corner. Narrow top margin. Light uneven toning, browner toward the edges. A few small foxing spots in the margin.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.