Emmanuel Bowen; c1690-1767.
Thomas Bowen, son; c1740-1790.

Bowen set up his map and print selling business in London in 1714. His prolific work made him prominent, and recognized with royal appointments by both George II of England, and Louis XV of France.
He teamed up with his most influential peers, to publish renowned works, such as "Britania Depicta" with John Owen in 1720, parts of "A Complete System of Geography" and of "Complete Collection of Voyages" with Thomas Jefferys in 1744, "Atlas Minimus" with John Gibson in 1758.
But his claim to fame came from his collaboration with Thomas Kitchin on "The Large English Atlas" in 1755, which was considered the most reliable geographic work on the English counties until the Ordinance Surveys of the 19th century.
The heavy demand for ever newer maps, due to the rapidly changing situations of the French and Indian war, the conflicts with Spain in the Caribbean, the seven year war and the American war of independence, provided steady activity for his trade, but little revenues. Upon his death, his son Thomas continued the practice. He was not more fortunate than his father: he too died near poverty in 1790.

A plan of the town and harbour of Cartagena.

Cropped to neat line on three sides, this small (6" 1/8 X 3" 3/8) map was an inset to a larger map of harbors in America and the West Indies.
It was published in 1744, as part of a French edition of the "A Complete System of Geography". It shows details of the Cartagena bay: anchorage soundings, the two entrances, and its strong fortifications.
Of note, are the representations of two prominent landmarks: the convent of La Popa, and the castle of St Philip of Barajas, both atop rocky bluffs.
Established by the Spanish in 1533, San Sebastian de Cartagena, known as Cartagena de Indias, was a significant center of administration, and a wealthy place of trade. As such it attracted the attention of pirates and privateers (among others, Francis Drake sacked it in 1586). Later, colonial rivals of Spain targeted the town: in 1741, the English fleet of admiral Edward Vernon laid an unsuccessful three month siege to the city defended by Blas de Lezo. Cartagena was the first south american city to declare independence from Spain.
No text on verso.