Antique Scripture Map of the Tribe of Ephraim, Hand-Colored, 1823

This is an original antique copper engraved map with original hand coloring, published in 1823 as plate XV of James Wyld's Geographia Sacra, or Scripture Atlas. The title, engraved in a green panel at the upper left, reads "TRIBE of EPHRAIM".

The map is laid out in landscape format. Ephraim is washed in pink across the center of the country, from the Plain of Sharon and the Mediterranean, or Great Sea, near Joppa on the left to the River Jordan on the right. Shiloh, Shechem, Gaash Hill and Timnath Serah are among the places lettered in the hills, with Manasseh to the north, Benjamin and Dan to the south and Reuben east of the river. An explanation at the lower left keys royal cities, Levitical cities and cities of refuge, and a scale of British Statute Miles is engraved at the lower center. At the lower right a long engraved note begins "Cities of Refuge, were places divinely appointed in the law of Moses" and ends with the reference "Joshua. 20. Chap."

Under the lower left corner of the border is the credit "J. Wyld del.", under the lower right corner "G. Neele Sculp.", and centered between them the imprint "Published by G. & W. B. Whittaker, 13 Ave Maria Lane, April, 1823." The plate number "XV." is engraved sideways in the left margin, beside the upper left corner of the border, so that it stands at the upper right when the sheet is turned to its upright position in the atlas.

The map comes from Geographia Sacra, or Scripture Atlas, published in London in 1823 by G. and W. B. Whittaker, whose imprint runs along the lower margin. The engraved title page of the atlas names its author as Wyld "of the Quarter Master General's Office, Horse Guards". James Wyld the elder (1790 to 1836) was a London geographer and map publisher.

Even age toning. Marked handling soiling along the left, right and top edges. Foxing over much of the margin. All four corners are present. Several larger brown marks.

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