1885 Montieth / Barnes School Geographical Atlas (lavish chromolithography)
Barnes's Complete Geography.
Innovative geographical textbook by the 'Master of the Margins.'
Innovative geographical textbook by the 'Master of the Margins.'
This is the 1885 edition of Barnes's Complete Geography, an influential geographical school atlas by the pioneering geographer James Monteith. The atlas is lavishly illustrated, utilizing the most advanced chromolithographic printing techniques to feature richly colored plates and maps. This textbook was foundational for American education in the late 19th century, with the atlas being present in as many as 80% of all schoolrooms.A Closer Look
The atlas is divided into two sections: the primary geographical atlas consists of 141 pages and, at the end, a supplementary 30-page atlas that focuses on New England. The whole is lavishly illustrated with color plates, including two exceptionally striking chromolithographic hemisphere views with elaborate ethnographic surrounds. The work also includes additional geographical content, including numerous full-page and half-page maps, many in rich chromolithograph color. In addition, nearly every page is richly illustrated with compelling vignettes, many in color, illustrating countless aspects of geography, ethnography, and culture. The 30-page New England section, at the back, features larger double-page maps of each state, along with extensive descriptive content, including text and images.Publication History and Census
This atlas was compiled by James Monteith, printed by the presses of A.S. Barnes and Company, and published by the American Book Company. Well represented institutionally.Cartographer
Alfred Smith Barnes (January 28, 1817 – February 17, 1888) was an American educational publisher and philanthropist, the founder of A.S. Barnes. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Barnes began his career working for D. F. Robinson and Company of Hartford before moving to Philadelphia in 1840 to establish his own publishing business. The firm underwent several early partnerships until 1865, when it became the New York City firm A.S. Barnes and Company. Barnes focused on educational publishing, producing widely used works such as Clark's English Grammar, Davies' Arithmetic, Steele's Fourteen Weeks science series, and Monteith's Geography (Barnes's Complete Geography). His family members were closely involved in the company, helping it grow into a dominant force in the textbook market. After Barnes retired in 1880, the firm merged with several others to form the American Book Company, which continued his legacy. In the 20th century, A.S. Barnes diversified into other areas, including sports reference books, before being acquired by Thomas Yoseloff in 1958 Further Details...
Condition
Very good. Some edge wear to covers.
References
OCLC 784121158.