1856 River Systems of America
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 the river systems and basins of the Americas. The map was published in the second 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 North and South America, including watersheds and drainage basins. The cart details both major and smaller rivers throughout the continents. Insets depict the Niagara River, the delta of the Mississippi, and a close up detailing the junction of the Orinoco and Maranon Rivers in South America.
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 the discusses in detail the methodology, science, and theory the went into the cartographic work.
Condition: Map is in A+ condition presenting an attractive and vivid imprint on heavy paper with full margins on all sides.
Inventory #12568
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