[Maps of the Crimea]

Some of the most detailed British cartography of the primary theater of the Crimean War.

This pair of incredibly detailed maps of the Crimean Peninsula was published in London by John Arrowsmith during the summer of 1854, as the Allied fleet blockaded the Russian port of Sevastopol and preparations were underway for a land-based siege of the vital city. Mounted on linen and accompanied by a lavish black leather slipcase, the upscale works may have been in the possession of a military officer or wealthy British aristocrat, keen on keeping up with the latest details.

The first sheet, dated June 6th, measures approximately 33.5″ x 25.75″ and focuses on the southern coastline of the Crimea, between Kalamita Bay in the west and Sudak Bay in the east. While the orange lines give the impression of steam railroads, they were actually post roads – there were no commercial railways in operation in the Crimea, making troop movements gruelling and time-consuming. Topography is depicted with finely engraved hanchure, reflecting the rugged terrain that further inhibited marching and greatly benefited the defenders. Two insets, lower right, show the approaches to Sebastopol Harbor and a small-scale overview of the Black Sea theater.

The second sheet is dated August 12th and is slightly smaller, at a size of about 26″ x 22.5″. It focuses on the entirety of the Crimean Peninsula, highlighting the strategically important fortresses of Perekop, Kertch, Kherson, and Sevastopol. Toponyms identify a fascinating variety of features, including Cossack villages, military outposts, geographic features, historic sites, and more. Insets in the lower right show the inlet and harbor of Sevastopol and a small-scale overview of the Black Sea region.

Just a few months after the maps were published, over 50,000 French, British, and Ottoman troops successfully landed without harassment at Kalamita Bay, setting the stage for the first major land engagement – the Battle of the Alma. A direct assault forced a Russian retreat and opened the road to Sevastopol, though instead of assaulting the city directly, a flanking route was chosen, leading to a series of additional bloody engagements and a terrible 11-month siege that killed over 100,000 troops (mostly from disease).