EXPLORE THE WORLD OF ANTIQUE MAPS

Emmanuel Bowen's map of Japan was published in 1747. A feature of this map and many of his others are the text notes on the map, which make fascinating reading. These confine themselves to the small islands dotted round the mainland of Japan. Bowen was an engraver to George II and to Louis XV of France and worked in London. Despite these appointments and temporary prosperity he died in poverty. His son Thomas, who took over the business, fared even worse.