1893 View of Nature in Ascending Regions
By: Walter Levi Yaggy
Date: 1893 (published) Chicago, IL
Dimensions: 22.5 x 34.5 inches (57.2 x 87.5 cm)
This is one of the most prolific illustrated diagrams to showcase the most notable mountains of the world and the environmental and agricultural adaptations that come with changes in altitude. It appeared in the 1893 edition of Levi Walter Yaggy's Geographical Portfolio, which was published as an educational tool for high schools and colleges. The entire portfolio consisted of nine illustrated charts, and maps as well as two movable diagrams of presenting celestial phenomena, all housed in a wooden cloth-wrapped case.
Yaggy's View of Nature in Ascending Regions features the most prominent mountains of the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania with several cities placed at their proper elevation within their respective continent. Some of these famous peaks include Aconcagua (Argentina), Mount of the Holy Cross and Pike's Peak (Colorado), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Mount Cook (a.k.a. Aoraki, New Zealand), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mont Blanc (France, Italy, and Switzerland), and of course Mount Everest (China and Nepal).
Upon close examination, one can find the cities of Denver and Leadville Colorado, Mexico City, London, Birmingham, and Cashmere, to name a few. Crops such as olives, wheat, maize, bananas, rye, and grapes are scattered about the image at their ideal altitude for a bountiful harvest. Scenes of mountaineers and historic expeditions are abundant on passes and peaks, some of which are named with the date of their summit. Active volcanoes of the late 19th century are identified by erupting peaks.
Chromolithography or Multi-stone Printing
This print and others from Yaggy's Geographical Portfolio were produced using multi-stone chromolithography, a method of color printing by multiple applications of lithographic stones, each using a different color ink. Previously, lithographs were printed in black and white and then colored by hand, often times with watercolor paint. This method was not only more suitable for mass production, but also resulted a much more vibrant image.
Levi Walter Yaggy (1848 - 1912) Was born in Plainfield Illinois to Jacob and Elizabeth Yaggy. He attended Northwestern College in Naperville, Illinois before moving to Chicago where he would found the Great Western Publishing House in 1874. He business would enjoy great success, ultimately expanding to include seventeen branch offices throughout the United States and employing thousands. Yaggy primarily focused on creating maps and educational books and portfolios for high schools and colleges that included "Museum of Antiquity; A Description of Ancient Life...," "The Standard History of All Nations and Races…," and "Yaggy’s Anatomical Study; Presenting the Skeleton, Muscles, Arteries, Veins and Nerves...," among others.
Condition: This print is in B+ condition with a few light scratches and some light staining and soiling, mostly confined to the margins.
Inventory #12218
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