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Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Historic maps of Africa collection, EEPA 1991-001
Summary
- Collection ID:
- EEPA.1991-001
- Dates:
-
circa 1631-1973
- Languages:
-
Multiple languages.
- Physical Description:
-
78 Maps
- Repository:
The Historic Maps of Africa collection includes 78 maps and dates from circa 1631 to 1973. Geographic content of individual maps varies from topographical information, boundaries of colonial territories, and ethnic groups, among other topics. While several depict the continent of Africa in its entirety, many focus on specific countries and geographic regions. There are a particularly large number of maps depicting the West African Coast.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The Historic Maps of Africa collection consists of 78 maps, dating from circa 1631 to 1973, with the bulk created in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The maps vary in size, ranging from the smallest at 7 x 7 (7/8) inches to the largest at 40 x 30 (5/8) inches.
Geographic content of individual maps varies from topographical information, boundaries of colonial territories, and ethnic groups, among other topics. While several depict the continent of Africa in its entirety, many focus on specific countries and geographic regions. There are a particularly large number of maps depicting the West African Coast.
The majority of the maps in the collection feature color illustrations. Titles and descriptions of the maps are in several languages (Dutch, English, French, German, and others), representing the different colonial powers in control at the time. Particular maps of interest include an 1830 colored map in English titled "Africa from the Best Authorities," which illustrates the entire African continent, various ethnic groups, and the inroads made by European colonial powers; and a 1656 topographic map in French depicting the west-central coast of Africa, specifically the mountains and rivers of the region.
Digital copies of the maps are available.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in chronological order.
Administration
Author
Gabriella Bellegarde and Eden Orelove
Custodial History
The maps were transferred from both the Robbins Center and the Warren M. Robbins Library, National Museum of African Art.
Processing Information
The collection was rehoused and photographed in 2010. Map dimensions are measured height x width.
Processed by Gabriella Bellegarde and Eden Orelove, December 2016
Using the Collection
Preferred Citation
Historic maps of Africa collection, EEPA 1991-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Keywords
Repository Contact
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
National Museum of African Art
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 708
Washington, DC 20013-7012
elisofonarchives@si.edu
