A higher resolution scan of the map. - 4436511 bytes


Modern Geography
A Description of the Empires, Kingdoms, States, and Colonies; with the Oceans, Seas, and Isles; In all parts of the world
John Pinkerton
published by T. Cadell Jr. & W. Davies, London


Modern Geography was published by John Pinkerton (1758 - 1826) in 1802 and again in 1806. It is my understanding that this is from the 1802 printing.

Some of the text around the edges of the print and what they mean:

Arrowsmith direxitThis means that it was supervised by (Aaron) Arrowsmith (Senior). Because of the 1802 publishing date it is safe to say that this is Aaron Arrowsmith Sr. and not one of the several younger family members that were later involved in the business.
From Ferrari's MapJoseph de Ferraris (1726 - 1814) was commissioned by the Austrian Hapsburgs in the 1770's to survey the Austrian Netherlans. This might explain why the map does not have the French department names that were in use at the time this map was published.
Lowry Sculp.Engraver is Wilson Lowry (1762 - 1824). Once again, Wilson Lowry, instead of (his son) Joseph Wilson Lowry (1803 - 1879) is a safe bet based upon analysis of the dates.
Vol.1.page 315This publication of "Modern Geography" was a two volume set.

Some analysis of the accuracy of the map shows that it was fairly accurate for a map that was effectively created (by Ferraris) in the 1770's.

CityActual LocationNotes
LongitudeLatitude
Cologne (Köln)6° 57'14" E50° 56'10" NCologne is at just over 7° E on this map. (About 7' error in long.)
Aix la Chapelle (Aachen)6° 5'2" E50° 46'26" NAachen is off by about 7' E and 5' N on this map.
Luxemburg (Luxembourg)6° 7'48" E49° 36'42" NOnly off by less than 5 min lat. but by about 13' long.
Dunkirk (Dunkerque)2° 22'24" E51° 2'21" NBoth long. and lat. appear to be within about 5' of actual values.
Ghent3° 43'21" E51° 3'24" NBoth long. and lat. are within 5' of actual values.