1937 Alonzo C. Webb map of the British Empire - original manuscript

This is the original manuscript draft of a stunning 1937 pictorial map of the world highlighting the British Empire. The map was drawn by Alonzo C. Webb to celebrate King George VI's May, 1937 coronation and subsequently published in a special color section of the Christian Science Monitor. It depicts the whole world on a Mercator Projection, with British territories, or the Commonwealth, highlighted in red. The whole is surrounded by elaborately giggled heraldic designs. Quotes from Milton and Emerson lionizing British achievement. While less vividly colored than the printed version, lacking strong blue inks there present, this manuscript draft is otherwise near identical.

Coronation of George VI

The coronation of George VI and his wife Elizabeth as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on 12 May 1937. George VI ascended the throne upon the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, on December 11, 1936, three days before his 41st birthday. The event was designed not only as a formal crowning, but also as a public display the breadth and power of the British Empire.

Publication History and Census

This is a manuscript draft on artist board. Curiously, the design at top is cut out for a three-dimensional effect. The map was subsequently published by the Christian Science Monitor, April 22, 1937, also with full gilt colorwork - as here. We are aware of only one edition. The present manuscript draft is unique.