This highly detailed map was published by Samuel Wells Williams as the frontispiece to his The Middle Kingdom...The Chinese Empire and its Inhabitants, first issued in 1848. Williams was an American missionary who had first-hand knowledge of the region, having lived and worked in China for over 40 years. Cartographically, the map covers the region from the Himalayas east to Japan and from Lake Baikai south the Philippines. The map delineates provinces and names numerous towns and villages. Topography and the river systems are well developed. The map features six insets along the borders including the region surrounding Canton (Guangzhou). Engraved by J.M. Atwood. Imprint below the bottom border indicates a copyright date of 1847.

References: cf. Rumsey #4720.

Condition: A

Issued folding on a bright sheet of banknote-style paper. There is faint toning at left and a hint of offsetting.