1856 River Systems of Asia and Europe
By: Alexander K. Johnston
Date: 1856 (published) Edinburgh
Dimensions: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
This is an original hand-coloured antique map showing river systems and basins in Asia and Europe. The map was published in the 2nd edition of Johnston's Physical Atlas of Natural Phenomena, in Edinburgh by William Blackwood & Sons in 1856.
Color coded to show which body of water the river systems empty into, this map looks at the continents of Asia and Europe, including watersheds and drainage basins. The cart details both major and smaller rivers throughout Eurasia including the Ganges, Indus, Tigris and Euphrates, Volga, Danube, Rhine and Rhone. In Italy the Tiber, Arno and Po. The Thames and other rivers are included in the British Isles. An interesting thematic study at the bottom features a graphic inset showing the relative elevation change from the source of major rivers such as the Ganges, Danube and Rhine.
At the time of publication, Alexander Keith Johnston's Physical Atlas of Natural Phenomena was one of the most comprehensive geographic works focusing on natural science. Johnston described the motivations and focus of his work in the preface as follows; The object originally contemplated in this work was to present, in a graphic form, a concise yet comprehensive view of the Physical Geography of the Globe, embracing under that term its superficial structure, the movements of its aerial and oceanic currents, and the distribution of organized existence on its surface.
Accompanying the map is the original letterpress description from the atlas that discusses in detail the methodology, science, and theory used in creating and publishing cartographic works such as this.
Condition: Map is in A+ condition presenting an attractive and vivid imprint on heavy paper with full margins on all sides.
Inventory #12567
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