1834 Edinburgh.
By: SDUK
Date: 1834 (Published) London
Dimensions: 12.5 x 15.25 inches
This handsome map of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, was published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, also referred to as SDUK. The map provides a bird’s eye view of the city as it had developed by 1834. Edinburgh Castle, famed for its Stone of Destiny, is featured in an inset, and the city’s location at the estuary (Firth) of the River Forth is well depicted.
This region of Scotland has been inhabited for thousands of years but Edinburgh considers its founding to have been in the early Middle Ages when a hill fort was built in the area. In the 12th century CE King David built the castle on Castle Rock which today is extant, and which has been in constant use since its construction. Below the plan of the city are featured many of its most important architectural edifices in miniature, including an observatory and numerous religious and governmental buildings.
The SDUK was founded in 1828 by Henry Peter Brougham, an idealistic British nobleman. The aim of the society was to promote self-education and egalitarian sharing of knowledge by providing instruments of learning such as maps and various other publications. Despite being affiliated with London University and various major publishing houses, the Society ultimately failed to achieve its goal as the publications were too costly for the targeted middle to lower class echelons of British society. At the same time, its publications were not grand enough or fine enough to appeal to the aristocracy.
Condition: This map is in A condition. Partially hand-colored to show open green spaces, with ancient city walls outlined in red. The corners are discolored from prior matting but would not show when framed.
Inventory #12199
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