Francisco Coello de Portugal y Quesada (1822-1898) was a Spanish cartographer and military professional who authored an atlas of Spanish possessions overseas, published in Madrid between 1848 and 1869. The atlas was created as an accompaniment to the Diccionario Geografico Estadistico Historico by Pascual Madoz. Although 65 maps were originally planned, only 45 maps were eventually completed. Each map was issued in folded form with pocket map covers. Coello studied at the Academia de Ingenieros de Guadalajara (Academy of Engineering in Guadalajara) and was assigned as Lieutenant Colonel of the Spanish Corps of Engineers and stationed in Algeria in 1844. Coello founded the Sociedad Geografica de Madrid (Geographical Society of Madrid) in 1876, which later became the Real Sociedad Geografica de Espana (Royal Geographical Society of Spain).

This set of three maps forms one of the largest maps ever published of the Philippines. Each map includes several insets of ports in the area, with great detail of topography, towns, anchorages, depth soundings, and navigational hazards. The cartography is based on the work of Antonio Morata, and the text is attributed to D. Pascual Madoz. Each map is issued folding with paper boards, with the atlas title and a coat of arms printed on the front cover and details about the atlas on the back cover. Size varies slightly.

A. Islas Filipinas Primera Hoja Central. This sheet covers the northern half of the Philippines, including the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, and northern Samar and Masbate. Two large insets show a bird's-eye plan of Manila and the harbor and area surrounding the city, and there are several small insets of other port cities. Engraved by Desbuissons, Raynaud and Bacot. Condition: There are a few small stains, light toning along a couple of folds, and one fold separation that enters 1.5" into map at bottom that has been closed on verso with archival tape.

B. Islas Filipinas Segunda Hoja Central. This sheet covers the southern half of the Philippines, including the islands of Palawan, Mindanao, and the Visayas. There are four small insets of the ports of Cebu, Batan, Palapa, and Mandao. Condition: There is minor toning along a couple of folds.

C. Posesiones de Oceania. Islas Filipinas. The top half of this sheet depicts the Batan and Babuyan Islands, located between Luzon and Taiwan. Large panels of text flank the map with important information on the politics, religious subdivisions, resources, commerce, and inhabitants of the Philippines. The bottom half of the sheet shows the northeastern tip of Borneo (Kalemantan), the Sulu Archipelago, and the Talaud Islands. There is a large central inset that shows all of the Philippines, along with several smaller insets of ports. A detailed legend is also included. Condition: There is light toning along a couple of folds.

References: Phillips (Atlases) #3137.

Condition: B+

All maps have original outline color, minor offsetting, and a few tiny separations at fold intersections. Covers are worn with some soiling, pencil marks, and modern labels attached to the back covers of two of the maps. See description above for additional details.