Auction 87 - Jewish and Israeli Art, History and Culture
Including: sketches by Ze'ev Raban and Bezalel items, hildren's books, avant-garde books, rare ladino periodicals, and more
The PEF Survey of Western Palestine Map – Large Map Comprised of 26 Separate Sheets – London, 1880 – First Edition
Map of Western Palestine in 26 sheets, from surveys conducted for the Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund, by Lieutenants C.R. Conder and H.H. Kitchener, R.E., during the Years 1872-1877. London: Ordnance Survey Office, 1880 (sheets dated 1878 or 1879). English.
First edition of the Palestine Exploration Fund map – a map of western Palestine, based on surveys conducted by Claude Reignier Conder and Horatio Herbert Kitchener during the years 1872-1877.
A large map, divided into 26 separate sheets (each measuring approx. 67-69X54.5 cm), portraying Palestine to the west of the Jordan River – from the Litani River in the north, to Beersheba River in the south – on a scale of 1:63,360 inches. Coastline and central towns and settlements hand-colored. Map sheets, title page and legend, are placed in the original portfolio, ornamented with a gilt Jerusalem cross, inscribed with the title and the year 1880.
The PEF's "Survey of Western Palestine" was carried out during the years 1872-1877 by a group of British researchers, land surveyors and Army men, who, for the first time, succeeded in surveying the entire territory of Palestine, using modern surveying methods.
This map, published following the survey, became one of the most important maps in the history of Palestine cartography. Subsequently, the fund published a series of volumes discussing the survey and the findings: detailed accounts of settlements, rivers, structures and hills, identified during the survey; a volume dedicated to Jerusalem; detailed studies of the country's flora and fauna; Arabic and English name lists; and more. Most volumes included numerous illustrations, maps and plans.
[28] sheets (title page, legend and map). Each sheet approx. 67-69X54.5 cm. Original folder: 70X61 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor wear. Browning and considerable staining to first two sheets (title page and legend); these are worn, with creases and marginal tears. Original portfolio with leather corners and spine. Stains, wear and damage to portfolio; large tears along spine.