Mathew Carey – Map of the World, 1795

This is a world map created by Mathew Carey in 1795. What I see:

The map is a double-hemisphere projection, showing the Eastern and Western Hemispheres side-by-side within oval frames. The landmasses are colored with yellow for continents and green for some coastal areas, while the oceans are depicted in a light blue-grey. Graticules (lines of latitude and longitude) are visible, along with many place names written in a fine script. There are also several annotations and a small box with Explanation text at the bottom center. The overall appearance is aged, with a yellowish, parchment-like background and some staining or wear.

Specifically, I can identify:

• Western Hemisphere: North America and South America are clearly visible, with labels such as NORTH AMERICA and SOUTH AMERICA. The Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean are labeled.
• Eastern Hemisphere: Africa, Europe, and Asia are shown. Labels for regions like EASTERN TARTARY, PERSIA, and CHINA are present. Parts of Australia are labeled as NEW HOLLAND. The Eastern Ocean is also indicated.
• Details: Numerous islands are depicted throughout the oceans, though many are not clearly legible due to the scale. There are some small marks that could represent ships or significant locations.
• Title: The title A MAP of the WORLD from the best AUTHORITIES is prominently displayed in an oval at the top center, between the two hemispheres.
• Publication Information: Faint text at the very top indicates Published by Careys Edition of Guthries New System of Geography. A box at the bottom right contains Entered at Stationers Hall and likely copyright or registration information.

Subtexts:

• Imperialism and Exploration: Maps like this from the late 18th century were often produced in the context of burgeoning global trade, colonization, and scientific exploration. The emphasis on the best AUTHORITIES suggests a desire to present an accurate and authoritative view of the world, reflecting the advancements in cartography and geographic knowledge of the time. The depiction of NEW HOLLAND hints at the ongoing European exploration and claims in that region.
• Eurocentrism: As with most maps of this era, theres a strong Eurocentric bias in terms of the detail and focus. Europe, Africa, and Asia dominate the Eastern Hemisphere, while the Americas are shown in detail in the Western Hemisphere. The vast areas of the Pacific and Southern Oceans are less populated with detail, reflecting the limits of European knowledge and exploration at that time, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere where the existence of a large southern continent was still largely speculative.
• Scientific Progress and Enlightenment: The production of such a map reflects the era of Enlightenment, characterized by a push for scientific understanding, classification, and order. The map is an attempt to categorize and represent the known world in a systematic way.
• Americas as New World: The labeling of continents like AMERICA and the presence of British colonies (implied by the context of Mathew Carey, an American publisher) would highlight the ongoing development and perceived newness of the Americas in the global context, especially in contrast to the older civilizations of Europe and Asia.
• Dissemination of Knowledge: Mathew Carey was a prominent publisher, and this map was part of a larger work, his New System of Geography. This indicates a subtext of making geographical knowledge accessible to a wider audience, likely the educated middle class, through printed books.