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1892 Rand McNally Map of France
France-randmcnally-1895$37.50
Title
Map of France.
1892 (dated) 27 x 20 in (68.58 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 2070000
1892 (dated) 27 x 20 in (68.58 x 50.8 cm) 1 : 2070000
Description
This is a beautiful example of Rand McNally and Company's 1892 map of France. It covers all of France subdivided according to its various departments. An inset map on the lower right quadrant details Corsica. The French Department system was established on March 4th, 1790 by the National Constituent Assembly to replace the provinces with what the Assembly deemed a more rational structure. They were designed to deliberately break up France's historical regions in an attempt to erase cultural differences and build a more homogeneous nation. Initially there were 83 departments but by 1800 that number increased to roughly 130 (only to be reduced again to 86 following the collapse of the French empire). Many of the departments that were created in 1790 remain the administrative districts to this day. Color coded according to departments, the map notes several towns, cities, rivers and various other topographical details with relief shown by hachure. This map was issued as plate nos. 46 and 47 in the 1895 issue of Rand McNally and Company's Indexed Atlas of the World - possibly the finest atlas Rand McNally ever issued.
Cartographer
Rand, McNally and Co. (fl. 1856 - present) is an American publisher of maps, atlases and globes. The company was founded in 1856 when William H. Rand, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, opened a print shop in Chicago. Rand hired the recent Irish immigrant Andrew McNally to assist in the shop giving him a wage of 9 USD per week. The duo landed several important contracts, including the Tribune's (later renamed the Chicago Tribune) printing operation. In 1872, Rand McNally produced its first map, a railroad guide, using a new cost effective printing technique known as wax process engraving. As Chicago developed as a railway hub, the Rand firm, now incorporated as Rand McNally, began producing a wide array of railroad maps and guides. Over time, the firm expanded into atlases, globes, educational material, and general literature. By embracing the wax engraving process, Rand McNally was able to dominate the map and atlas market, pushing more traditional American lithographic publishers like Colton, Johnson, and Mitchell out of business. Eventually Rand McNally opened an annex office in New York City headed by Caleb S. Hammond, whose name is today synonymous with maps and atlases, and who later started his own map company, C. S. Hammond & Co. Both firms remain in business. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Rand McNally & Co., Foreign Countries. Rand, McNally & Co's Indexed Atlas of the World (Complete in Two Volumes)…, (Chicago) 1895.
Condition
Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Text on verso. Minor verso repair, left margin
References
Rumsey 3565.011 (1897 edition). Philip (atlases) 1026 (1898 edition).