Embark on a voyage through time with "A New General Chart of the World," a captivating masterpiece crafted in 1794 by the esteemed British mapmaker Alexander Hogg. This luxurious cartographic treasure not only serves as a window into the world as it was known in the late 18th century but also commemorates the legendary explorations of Captains James Cook, Drake, Anson, and other luminaries whose voyages reshaped the European understanding of the globe. Hogg, renowned for his precision and attention to detail, has meticulously charted the courses of these intrepid explorers across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, making this map a testament to the era of discovery that expanded the horizons of navigation and geography.
The design and style of this map are a reflection of the cartographic excellence of its time, offering a detailed political view of the world centered around the Pacific Ocean, a perspective that is as rare as it is enlightening. It showcases not only the political boundaries and major cities of the late 18th century but also highlights the natural wonders of the world, from the towering peaks of the Rocky and Andes mountains to the vast waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The inclusion of smaller inset maps and additional illustrations, such as "The Track of the Ship Duff" and "A Chart of Botany Bay and Port Jackson," enriches the narrative of exploration and discovery that this map embodies.
Alexander Hogg's "A New General Chart of the World" is distinguished by its comprehensive depiction of the voyages of Captain James Cook, among others, whose expeditions fundamentally altered the European perception of the Pacific and its islands. This map, with its focus on the South Seas and detailed tracks of Cook's voyages, is a celebration of the achievements of an era when explorers ventured beyond known horizons, charting New Zealand, Hawai’i, the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, and more. The map's Pacific-centric view highlights Cook's significant time spent in these waters, offering a unique perspective on the world that underscores the pivotal role of the Pacific in 18th-century exploration.
The historical and geographical insights provided by this map are further enriched by its depiction of the evolving understanding of regions such as Australia and New Zealand. The connected outline of Australia and Tasmania, known then as Van Diemen’s Land, alongside the toponyms bestowed by Cook and other European explorers, offers a fascinating glimpse into the cartographic knowledge of the time. This map not only charts the physical geography of the world but also captures the momentous shift in understanding the globe's southern lands, marking a significant chapter in the history of exploration.
In essence, Alexander Hogg's "A New General Chart of the World" is not merely a map; it is a historical document of unparalleled value, a masterpiece of cartography that encapsulates the spirit of discovery that defined the 18th century. It invites connoisseurs and collectors alike to delve into the age of exploration, to trace the routes of the world's greatest navigators, and to marvel at the detailed representation of a world on the cusp of becoming fully known. This map is a luxurious artifact, a testament to the enduring allure of the unknown, and a tribute to the explorers who ventured into uncharted waters to bring the world closer together.
Countries and regions on this map
- Africa
- America
- Arctic Sea
- Asia
- Atlantic Ocean
- California
- Canada
- China
- East Indies
- Egypt
- Europe
- Greenland
- Guinea
- Hispaniola
- Hudson Bay
- Iceland
- India
- Japan
- Kamchatka
- Madagascar
- Malacca
- Mexico
- Moluccas
- New Britain
- New Caledonia
- New Found Land
- New Guinea
- New Holland
- New Zealand
- North America
- Norway
- Nova Zembla
- Pacific Ocean
- Peru
- Persia
- Philippine Islands
- Russia
- Sandwich Islands
- Scotland
- Siberia
- Society Islands
- South America
- Spain
- Sumatra
- Sweden
- Tartary
- Terra Australis Incognita
- Turkey
- West Indies
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Bodies of water:
- Pacific Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Arctic Ocean
- North Sea
- Baltic Sea
- Mediterranean Sea
- Caribbean Sea
- Hudson Bay
- Gulf of Mexico
- Persian Gulf
- Red Sea
- Black Sea
- Caspian Sea
- Aral Sea
- Lake Baikal
- Lake Superior
- Lake Huron
- Lake Michigan
- Lake Erie
- Lake Ontario
- Mountain ranges:
- Rocky Mountains
- Andes Mountains
- Appalachian Mountains
- Atlas Mountains
- Ural Mountains
- Alps
- Himalayas
- Kunlun Mountains
- Tien Shan
- Altai Mountains
- Sea, road, and rail routes:
- Northwest Passage
- Northeast Passage
- Cape Horn
- Cape of Good Hope
- Suez Canal
- Panama Canal
- Mississippi River
- Amazon River
- Nile River
- Congo River
- Niger River
- Yangtze River
- Ganges River
- Indus River
- Euphrates River
- Tigris River
- Danube River
- Rhine River
- Volga River
- Great Wall of China
- Silk Road
- Trans-Siberian Railway
- Other interesting features:
- Historical notes or annotations
- Illustrations of ships, sea creatures, and other decorative elements
Historical and design context
- Mapmaker or publisher: Alexander Hogg
- Interesting context related to the mapmaker: Hogg was a British mapmaker known for his detailed and accurate maps, often used for navigation.
- Topics and themes shown on the map: Focus on the Pacific Ocean, including the tracks of the voyages of Captain James Cook and other explorers, political boundaries of the time, major cities, and towns.
- Interesting context related to the topics and themes: The map was published when European exploration of the Pacific Ocean was at its height, highlighting Cook's voyages which were crucial in changing European understanding of the world.
- Context about the design or style of the map: A detailed and accurate representation of the world as known in the 18th century, providing a glimpse into the era of exploration and discovery.
- Historical significance or context of the map: A significant historical document that offers a snapshot of the world in the 18th century, valuable for historians, geographers, and collectors.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.