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1852 Cruchley Map of the Eastern Hemisphere (Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia)
EasternHemisphere-cruchley-1853$100.00
Title
The Eastern Hemisphere.
1852 (dated) 15 x 15 in (38.1 x 38.1 cm) 1 : 58000000
1852 (dated) 15 x 15 in (38.1 x 38.1 cm) 1 : 58000000
Description
A fascinating 1852 map of the Eastern Hemisphere issued by George Frederick Cruchley. It offers a fascinating snapshot of the world during a period of rapid globalization and discovery, and includes entirety of Asia, Europe and Africa as well as Australia and much of the Pacific. The map is color coded according to continents with countries, major cities, rivers, mountains and other topographical features noted. Relief is shown by hachures.
Vast stretches of unmapped territory and speculative cartography fill central Africa and Australia. Antarctica is only tenuously denoted, reflecting the primitive state of exploration in the region. In Africa, Lake Moravi (Lake Malawi) is shown speculatively. Neither Mt. Kenya nor Mt. Kilimanjaro are present though the apocryphal Mountains of the Moon stretch across the continent. The White Nile is shown originating from the Donga Mountains. In China, the Great Wall is identified. The sea between Japan and Korea, whose name, either the 'Sea of Korea' or the 'Sea of Japan,' is currently a matter of historical and political dispute between the two countries, is here identified in favor of Japan.
Cruchley's General Atlas was unique for its period, employing a vivid color scheme extending even to the oceans, distinctive typography, and various uncommon decorative elements including a peacock feather crown and an imprint medallion, both of which break the printed border. Though many of the maps in this atlas are copyrighted in 1841, the atlas was first published in 1843 from the Cruchley office at 81 Fleet Street, London, and proving popular went through numerous reissues well into the 1850s.
Vast stretches of unmapped territory and speculative cartography fill central Africa and Australia. Antarctica is only tenuously denoted, reflecting the primitive state of exploration in the region. In Africa, Lake Moravi (Lake Malawi) is shown speculatively. Neither Mt. Kenya nor Mt. Kilimanjaro are present though the apocryphal Mountains of the Moon stretch across the continent. The White Nile is shown originating from the Donga Mountains. In China, the Great Wall is identified. The sea between Japan and Korea, whose name, either the 'Sea of Korea' or the 'Sea of Japan,' is currently a matter of historical and political dispute between the two countries, is here identified in favor of Japan.
Cruchley's General Atlas was unique for its period, employing a vivid color scheme extending even to the oceans, distinctive typography, and various uncommon decorative elements including a peacock feather crown and an imprint medallion, both of which break the printed border. Though many of the maps in this atlas are copyrighted in 1841, the atlas was first published in 1843 from the Cruchley office at 81 Fleet Street, London, and proving popular went through numerous reissues well into the 1850s.
Cartographer
George Frederick Cruchley (April 23, 1797 - June 16, 1880) was a London based book and map seller active in the middle part of the 19th century. Cruchley began his cartographic career as an apprentice at the venerable Aaroon Arrowsmith firm. Many of Cruchley's earliest maps bear the words 'From Arrowsmith's' on the imprint. In 1844, Cruchley acquired the massive stock of the important early 19th century firm of John Cary. Cruchley published his own maps as well as reissues of Cary's stock well into the 1870s. He is best known for his detailed plans of London, which in recent years have become increasingly scarce and desirable. Cruchley was based in London on 38 Ludgate Street until 1834 when he moved his offices to 81 Fleet Street. Shortly before his death in 1880 Cruchely auctioned (Hodgson's Auctions, Jan 16, 1877) his entire stock. Many of his map plates were thusly acquired by 'Gall and Inglis' who continued the Cruchley tradition well into the early 20th century. Cruchley's son, also George Frederick (1837 - 1882), continued to work as a book and map seller until his death. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Cruchley, G. F., Cruchley's General Atlas, for the use of Schools and Private Tuition, London, 1853.
Condition
Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Minor rust marks in top margin, not extending onto printed area. Blank on verso.