1884 War Map ANGLO-EGYPTIAN WARS - Rare Separate Issue

Map Title: Bacon's War-Map of Egypt including Soudan, Abyssinia.
Printed: London: Bacon & Co., 1884

Separately Issued Map - Scarce

A large linen backed folding map, separately published, and in contemporary maroon boards gilt titled to spine. Traces of ink to right margin, unobtrusive to image, otherwise map is in very good condition, retaining a strong impression. Sheet measures approximately 28.25 inches x 20.5 inches (72cm x 52cm). Map image measures approximately 24 inches x 16.5 inches (61cm x 42cm).

Contemporary to the onset of the Siege of Khartoum, led by General Gordon, this is an original war map, lithographed in color, of Egypt, Sudan, and Abyssinia. Engraved by G.W. Bacon, who meticulously compiled data from maps issued by the War Office and other official documents. Featuring a large inset to illustrate the Suez Canal, Nile Delta and Lower Egypt, this historic map extends from the Mediterranean coast, to Egyptian Soudan, Abyssinia, and the Danakil desert, also including Hejaz and Yemen on the Arabian peninsula.

Since the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War, the British military presence ensured that Egypt remained a de facto British protectorate. However, the administration of Sudan was considered a domestic matter, and left to the Khedive's government. As a result, the suppression of the Mahdist revolt was left to the Egyptian army, who suffered a bloody defeat at the hands of the Mahdist rebels at El Obeid, in November 1883. The Mahdi's forces captured huge amounts of equipment and overran large parts of Sudan, including Darfur and Kordofan. The Battle of Khartoum or Siege of Khartoum lasted from March 12, 1884 to January 26, 1885. It was fought in and around Khartoum between Egyptian forces led by British General Charles George Gordon and a Mahdist Sudanese army led by the Mahdi Muhammad Ahmad. Khartoum was besieged by the Mahdists and defended by a garrison of 7,000 Egyptian and loyal Sudanese troops. After a ten-month siege, the Mahdists finally broke into the city and the entire garrison was killed.

Renowned cartographer, George Washington Bacon, published several war maps, as well as a series of maps of South Africa, and finally a complete world atlas in 1899. The latter endeavor comprised fifty coloured maps, one hundred separate insets of major ports, etc. Bacon payed particular attention to include smaller ports and new colonies.