Item #106047 The Krima or Crimea Peninsula. The Tauris of Ancient Geographers. Reduced from the Original Russian Military Map constructed under the direction of Major General Mukhin by the Staff of the Russian Quarter-Master General by Command of the Governor General, Prince Volonski [Crimea by Major Jervis (cover title)]. Crimean War, Major Thomas Best JERVIS.

[Crimean War]. JERVIS, Major Thomas Best

The Krima or Crimea Peninsula. The Tauris of Ancient Geographers. Reduced from the Original Russian Military Map constructed under the direction of Major General Mukhin by the Staff of the Russian Quarter-Master General by Command of the Governor General, Prince Volonski [Crimea by Major Jervis (cover title)]

London, [Her Majesty's Stationery Office], September 1854.

A very large lithographed map (printed surface approximately 625 x 1250 mm) printed in black, blue and brown, dissected into 24 panels and mounted on linen (folding down to 220 x 150 mm), mounted on the inside rear surface of green cloth-covered boards stamped in blind and lettered in gilt on the spine and front cover (as issued). A printed advertisement for other 'Maps of the Seat of War prepared under the direction' of Major Jervis is mounted on the front pastedown; a small 'Map of the Seat of War for the Many' (dated 20th May 1854; printed surface 84 x 134 mm; printed in black, brown and green) is mounted on paper laid down on the one panel of cloth exposed when the map is folded into the case.

Cloth unevenly faded, and a little rubbed and bumped at the extremities; inoffensive stains to the map along one horizontal fold and in the blank upper margin; advertisement slightly nibbled at one edge; overall in very good condition.

This is a half-scale reduction, printed on two sheets, of a larger map in ten sheets adapted and translated by Major Jervis from a Russian military map of the Crimean Peninsula; it includes an inset map of Sevastopol harbour (printed surface approximately 145 x 260 mm). The printed advertisement for the maps ('for the use of the Staff and Officers of the Allied Armies and the Government') includes both these versions, as well as two other maps of the Crimean theatre. This version is advertised at 10s, or 15s mounted in case (as is this copy). A blind-stamped motto in a blank portion of the map proclaims that 'Geography, while it explores the darkest recesses of nature, should light up the darkest retreats of humanity' (perhaps as issued - we have traced another copy of this map with the same legend - or should that be myth?).