Original wrappers. Open size: 58x65 cm, folded size: 20,5x14 cm. In French. 18 p. text, and one chromo-lithographed folded plan. Professionally repaired spine of the booklet, folded. A very good / fine copy. The very rare chromo-lithographed plan of Pera and Galata of Constantinople and around by the owner of Librairie Raymond, and published by the Zellitch Freres, the Croatian émigrés and long-time publishers in Istanbul. The map provides a detailed depiction of the Golden Horn to the south, the Bosphorus shores to the east, and the predominantly Jewish settlements of Hasköy, as well as Sisli, Nisantasi, and Feriköy to the west and north, encompassing the Pera and Galata regions, which were the non-Muslim quarters of Istanbul at the time. It shows maritime transportation along the Golden Horn and Bosphorus shores and highlights significant port districts such as Tophane, Pangalti, Ayazpasa, Dolmabahçe, Kasimpasa, Piripasa, Halicioglu, and Sütlüce. Additionally, it includes neighbourhoods, churches, significant buildings, historical structures, administrative centres, theatres, and stations in the region. On this polychrome map, the red areas indicate the most densely populated regions, while the white, blue, yellow, and green areas represent less populated zones. The green colour is used exclusively for cemeteries. The map also illustrates a population decrease from east to west along the Golden Horn. During that period, only two bridges (Azap Gate and Galata Bridge) were depicted spanning the Golden Horn. Given the detailed representation of transportation routes and key landmarks for visitors, as well as the accompanying booklet's rich content, it can be inferred that this plan was designed more for tourists than for topographic purposes. The map's producer, French Levantine César Raymond, was the owner of Librairie Raymond, one of Istanbul's renowned bookstores. He was also the brother of architect and cartographer Alexandre Raymond (1872-1941). As indicated on the map, César Raymond is credited as the 'Surveyor' and the producer of the 'Turkish Insurance Plans'. British cartographer Charles Edward Goad (1848-1910), known for his work in England and Canada, also produced insurance maps for Levantine cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Izmir, and Istanbul. While preparing the Istanbul insurance plans, he sought assistance from César Raymond. According to the Annuals of the Oriental Trade, César Raymond was the owner of 'S. Raymond and Co.' and served as the general representative of the insurance company Crédit Foncier Ltd. Raymond's company was located in Beyoglu, at the same address where the shop of German-born bookseller Otto Keil, renowned as the 'Sultan's Bookstore' once stood. ON THE ZELLITCH PRINTING HOUSE: Antonio Zelic (Zellich) of Brela was among the many Dalmatian émigrés who left their homeland in search of a better life during the 19th century. However, instead of heading west, he journeyed east to the Ottoman imperial capital, Istanbul. Upon arriving in the city on the Bosphorus, Zelic found employment at the lithographic print house of Henri Cayol, the first of its kind in the Ottoman Empire. In 1869, he established his own lithographic print house, "Zellich and Sons" (A. Zellich et Fils). His descendants continued his work with great success, and the Zellich Print House, later known as "Zellich Brothers" (Zellich Frères), became one of the most renowned in the Empire. Zellich Brothers earned a stellar reputation for the exceptional quality of their products, particularly their beautifully designed postcards and posters. Their crowning achievement came in 1914 when they were entrusted with printing the Ottoman Turkish Lira banknotes. Over the years, the Zellichs received numerous Ottoman and international accolades, including prestigious medals awarded by the Pope, the Persian Shah, and the Serbian King. (Source: Documentary film Zelic - Printers to the Empire, Levantine Heritage). EUROPEAN GALATA &
Lingue: Turkish, Ottoman (1500-1928)
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